The Government has decided to waive the visa fees for transit passengers and children under 12 years of age.

The transit passengers are given the exemption from processing fees for a maximum of 2 days as most of them conclude their visits within that period of time.

The government says the exemption for the children under 12 years of age, would encourage the visits by foreigners with their children.

The cabinet has given approval to a proposal submitted by President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Minister of Defence and Urban Development to provide the exemptions.

The cabinet approval has already been granted for foreigners visiting Sri Lanka to obtain visas online.

The online visa approval system went into effect from January 01, 2012.