How to apply Visa to Sri Lanka

With effect from 1st January 2012, all Holiday or Business travelers to Sri Lanka must have Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) for entering in to Sri Lanka. Please visit www.eta.gov.lk for more information. When applying ETA by third parties payments are to be made through the arrangement made in our website www.eta.gov.lk and obtain acknowledgement of ETA application. Any payments made to other websites or agencies are not valid to process a valid ETA. Therefore, always ensure that the payments made by accessing to Sri Lanka ETA website and avoid making repayment at the port of entry to Sri Lanka

What is a Sri Lankan Visa?
A Sri Lankan visa is an endorsement on a passport or a similar document to facilitate the legal entry of non Sri Lankans into the country and to regulate the period of their stay and the conditions governing such stay.

What are The Types Of Sri Lankan Visas?
There are four kinds of visas which permit a person to enter and/or stay in Sri Lanka.

Visit Visa
A Visit Visa is an entry permit signifying the consent of the Sri Lankan Government for the admission of a foreign national to the country. The Visa contains details of the period of time and the condition/s of the stay. There are two sub-categories which come under visit visas – Tourist Visit Visa
A Tourist Visa is issued to bona-fide tourists who want to enter Sri Lanka for sightseeing, excursions, relaxation, visit relatives or yoga training for a short period of time.

Business Visit Visa
A Business Visa is issued to foreign nationals who visit Sri Lanka for business purposes for short periods of time. This visa may be issued for single, double or multiple journeys.

Department of Immigration and Emigration
Ananda Rajakaruna Mawatha,
Maradana, 
Colombo 10.
Tel: +94-11-5329000 / +94-11-5329316/20/21/25
www.immigration.gov.lk


Photo Permits & Entrance Charges

Sri Lanka is a photographer’s delight. However, permits are required before you can take photos at certain sites. Entrance tickets to individual sites are available only from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. These tickets cover charges for photography, recording and parking.Rates are quoted in US Dollars and rupee parities are subject to fluctuation.

Travel to Colombo

The city of Colombo offers historical monuments, colonial architecture, festivals and events, beaches, fine dining, and shopping. With so much to see, do, and experience in Colombo, it can sometimes be difficult to find all that you need to know about Colombo before or during your visit. 

AboutColombo is an informative guide to the city, its people, and its environs. As well as providing interesting facts and videos, we also have information on getting to Colombo, travel information, downloadable maps, and any other information; in fact, anything you may need to make your visit to Colombo a memorable and enjoyable one.

Colombo is the commercial capital and largest city of Sri Lanka. Colombo has a population of 555,031 in the city limits. It is the financial center of the island and a popular tourist destination. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte, the legislative capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is within the urban area of, and a satellite city of, Colombo. It is also the administrative capital of Western Province, Sri Lanka and the district capital of Colombo District. Colombo is a busy and vibrant place with a mixture of modern life and colonial buildings and ruins.

Hotels in Colombo

Great savings on hotels in Colombo, Sri Lanka online. Good availability and great rates. Read hotel reviews and choose the best hotel deal for your stay

Place to visit 

National Museum of Colombo

National Museum of Colombo, also known as Sri Lanka National Museum and Colombo Museum, is situated in Colombo 07 and is the largest museum in Sri Lanka. The Museum was founded in 1877 by a British Governor; Sir William Henry Gregory, during the time Sri Lanka was under the British Monarchy.The Museum preserves national treasures and artefacts of the country and has three main sections; Natural Science Section, Cultural section and a library.

Dehiwala Zoological Gardens

The Dehiwala National Zoo, which has a remarkable collection of exotic and indigenous fauna, is one of the oldest Zoos in Asia. The Zoo in Sri Lanka is widely known as Colombo zoo all over the world.


Currently, Dehiwala Zoo houses 72 species of Mammals, 65 species of Birds, 31 species of Reptiles, 89 species of Fish, 03 families of Amphibians and 30 species of Butterflies etc. The total number of animals varies from 2500-3000 due to breeding and free living colonies of birds. Dehiwala Zoo has become famous among the visitors not only for collection of local and exotic animals but also for landscaping with lush greeneries. The Zoo supports and promotes conservation by breeding certain rare and endangered species through proper animal welfare.

Gangaramaya Temple

This Buddhist temple includes several imposing buildings and is situated not far from the placid waters of Beira Lake on a plot of land that was originally a small hermitage on a piece of marshy land. It has the main features of a Vihara (temple), the Cetiya (Pagada) the Bodhitree, the Vihara Mandiraya, the Seema malaka (assembly hall for monks) and the Relic Chamber. In addition, a museum, a library, a residential hall, a three storeyed Pirivena, educational halls and an alms hall are also on the premises

Ape Gama

"Ape Gama" ( our village) is a replica of traditional old day Sri Lanakan village. This is located in Battaramulla, close to “Diyatha Park”. Ape Gama displays traditional industries, village life style and how self-sufficient old day Sri Lankan society functions in those days

Mount Lavinia Beach 

Mount Lavinia Beach is Sri Lanka's main sea-bathing spot. Here, depending on season, the waves can be swimmable and it's host to some amazing sunsets. Note, however, that this is not a bay like Unawatuna. The waters is swimmable only at certain times of the year and can be very rough, with undertow. If no one else is swimming, don't swim.