Laos grants visa on arrival for Sri Lankans

Text and Pic by Ashwin Hemmathagama

Lao People’s Democratic Republic has recommenced issuing visa on arrival for Sri Lankans from 1 August. Honouring a request received from the Rajapakse Government, Lao People’s Democratic Republic has stopped stamping Sri Lankan passports with ‘visa on arrival’ with effect from October 2009.

According to Sri Lanka-Laos Friendship Association Chairman UNP MP Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne, no other Government has ever requested to sanction visa for its passport for unknown reasons.

The Sri Lanka-Laos Friendship Association Chairman UNP MP Dr. Jayampathy Wickramaratne announcing the removal of visa

restrictions for Sri Lankans yesterday at Committee Room seven of the Parliament Complex with the other members of the Association

“Religious and cultural ties between the two countries runs back many centuries. The majority of both countries are Buddhists and use Sanskrit-based languages. There are Sri Lankans working in Laos in diverse trades. However, it has been the first time a Government has requested another Government to stop issuing visa for its nationals. The visa matter was unknown until a recent visit of our Parliamentary delegation to Laos,” he said.

With the removal of visa issuance embargo, Sri Lankans could try trade and investment opportunities with Laos, he invited. “Laos could be reached via Bangkok. Per week, four flights connect Colombo with Bangkok. We have already informed the airlines and there will be no issues if Sri Lankans travel to Laos expecting visa on arrival,” added MP Wickramaratne.

However, it was also noticed that there could be some other destinations which offered Sri Lankan passports visa on arrival but was withdrawn such facility during the Rajapakse regime in response to requests from the previous Government. (AH)