Sri Lanka suspends ‘on-arrival’ visas to Chinese

Sri Lanka’s Minister of Health Pavithra Wanniarachchi stated that issuing ‘On Arrival Visa’ has been cancelled for tourists from China with immediate effect.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration said prospective Chinese visitors must now apply for visas through the online portal.
Accordingly, a new criterion will be used to grant visas to Chinese nationals.
The first confirmed case of Coronavirus was reported in Sri Lanka yesterday, after a Chinese national admitted at the Infectious Diseases Hospital (IDH) tested positive with the mysterious virus.
The 47-year old woman from Hubei Province in China had reportedly arrived as a tourist with another group of travelers and had been screened at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) for having a high fever.
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Sri Lanka launches online seat booking system for long-distance buses May 4, 2026
- Sri Lanka, Maldives sign seven MoUs during President Muizzu’s state visit May 4, 2026
- Sri Lanka Army Lance Corporal remanded over bribery allegation May 4, 2026
- Loku Patty link probed after Galle Prison video, escape attempt and weapon arrest May 4, 2026
- Maldivian President Muizzu arrives in Sri Lanka for state visit May 3, 2026
