The Department of Immigration and Emigration will take steps to reduce the administration fee for issuing visas to visitors from all countries.

According to Immigration and Emigration Controller Chulananda Perera, the relevant proposal for reducing administration fee has already been submitted to the Finance Ministry Secretary by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

The proposals will then be forwarded for Cabinet approval through the Ministry of Fianance and Planning.

At present an administration fee of USD 50 is charged per person from certain countries when obtaining visa to Sri Lanka under the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system while no administration fee is charged from some countries including SAARC countries. The reduction of the administration fee will definitely be a boost to the tourism sector.