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Visa Free Entry to Sri Lanka for Australian Passport Holders (Was US $35)

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Visa Free Entry to Sri Lanka for Australian Passport Holders (Was US $35)Affiliate
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Taegukgi on 04/08/2019 - 22:00 lonelyplanet.com (1383 clicks)
Last edited 04/08/2019 - 22:03
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This deal was previously meant to start on 1/5 but was scraped due to the bombings.

Due to a decline in tourism, Sri Lanka is now reintroducing the visa free program for 48 countries including Australia.

Further, the Sri Lankan government has dropped airline fees by decreasing ground handling charges for airlines and lower aviation fuel and embarkation taxes.

Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister John Amaratunga announced Wednesday the government will waive the existing visa fee ($20 for nationals from South Asia and $35 for everyone else) from 1 August for arrivals from 48 countries* as it continues to revive its punctured tourism industry. According to Reuters, the free visa applies to both tourists and those visiting for business purposes and will be effective for six months.

*The free visa initiative applies to nationals from US, Canada, the UK, European Union nations, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea, Cambodia, Thailand, China, India and Indonesia.

Credit to TA for original post.

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closed Comments

  • jv on 04/08/2019 - 22:04
    +10

    This is soooooooooo going to get OzBargained !!!

    jv on 04/08/2019 - 22:04 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
    • cloudie9 on 04/08/2019 - 22:15
      +2

      not as hot as the $499 HP omen…

      • Understandable on 04/08/2019 - 22:33

        Were those refunded or did people actually get them

        • Clear on 04/08/2019 - 23:22

          Price error so a refund ;)

          • Freestyle on 05/08/2019 - 02:28

            @Clear: many people said they got it tho

            • Clear on 05/08/2019 - 07:47

              @Freestyle: Yeah they're lying unless they can prove it. Always happens.

              • Freestyle on 05/08/2019 - 16:18

                @Clear: i see, Well the deal page disappeared lol

    • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 10:03
      -2

      I'm a church going person, I'll pass.

  • jv on 04/08/2019 - 22:06
    +19

    Exercise a high degree of caution in Sri Lanka.
    A terrorist attack could happen anywhere, at any time, including in places visited by foreigners.
    All regions of Sri Lanka experience outbreaks of dengue fever.
    Pay close attention to signs warning of landmines

    Smartravellor.gov.au

    • railspider on 04/08/2019 - 22:22
      +108

      Sounds safer than the USA. Flights booked!

      • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 16:10

        Yes, I definitely won't be going to the USA again, as much as I enjoyed the last 2 trips. Mass shootings are out of control in the states.

      • ryu on 03/09/2019 - 09:03

        Just remember in USA, every one could pull out a gun on you at any time. So don't step on any one, don't argue with anyone, don't fight with anyone. Be your smallest self.

    • adrianhughes1998 on 04/08/2019 - 22:55
      +11

      Lol. People should also do their own research cos travel advice levels varies between usa, Australia, UK, other countries etc. Security and terrorism and all that can be overhyped / underhyped etc

      • SDF05 on 04/08/2019 - 23:29
        +7

        I think the last place anyone ever thought of having a terrorist attack was a country like Sri Lanka until the Easter time. There's the usual being cautious while going to places in Asia (you know, be mindful of people who might rob you with higher prices if you look like foreign, keeping things by yourself at all times etc) and there's being mindful of terrorist attacks, which is what Sri Lanka is faced with unfortunately, especially after recovering so well after the civil war that ended in '09.

    • Angelino on 05/08/2019 - 06:24
      +26

      Smartraveller.gov.au
      France:
      Official advice:
      High degree of caution
      High threat of terrorist attack
      Avoid all demonstrations as they may turn violent
      Petty crime is a serious problem
      Significant increase in violent theft on public transport
      Credit card and ATM fraud involving 'skimming' is rising
      Vehicles are frequently the target of crime

      There goes that trip to to Paris.
      Smartraveller advice needs to be taken with a degree of common sense.

      • try2bhelpful on 05/08/2019 - 08:06
        +1

        Agree with the sentiment. Unfortunately any country can be a victim of ideological morons. I’m just back from Europe, including Paris, was in America when 911 happened, I live in Melbourne. Keep your eyes open to your surroundings but you have to really be unlucky to be caught up in an incident.

    • npnp on 05/08/2019 - 07:21
      +11

      It's a beautiful country and one of the safest in the region even during the war that lasted 30 years tourist attractions were filled with tourists. Now that peace has been established for over 10 years and country is safer than ever. If you were wondering about attacks, there are more chances of them in other countries than in Sri Lanka. Smarttravellor advise should be taken with grain of salt, there's a thing called common sense and do your own research.

      • jv on 05/08/2019 - 09:21
        -7

        one of the safest in the region

        not supported by facts

  • Wallyt99 on 04/08/2019 - 22:16
    +19

    Pay close attention to signs warning of landmines

    Jumping on this before it sells out.

    • R4 on 04/08/2019 - 23:21

      Reminds me of the Perigo Minas! (Danger Mines! in Portuguese) signs that are seared into my brain from my time in Angola

    • theHMASfriendship on 05/08/2019 - 08:34
      +1

      Have a blast!

    • npnp on 05/08/2019 - 10:31
      +1

      I suppose you were not kidding about landmines. I've lived and worked in areas where war took place 10 years ago and did not see any sign for land mines and that's in 2010-11. It's a country with population density of 335 per km2 and chances of a tourist stepping on to one after 10 years of clearance would definitely be slimmer than him getting caught in a gun shootout while traveling in USA.

  • UberIsCool on 04/08/2019 - 22:37
    +6

    Pay close attention to signs warning of landmines

    Yeah, that clicking sound is not a good warning sign….

  • chk on 04/08/2019 - 22:43
    +2

    Stack the offer with 40% off business class tickets on sri lankan airlines https://samchui.com/2019/07/25/business-class-deal-srilankan…

    Not a deal for me, I'm running the other way…..

  • PinzVidz on 04/08/2019 - 22:53
    +5

    Perfect for when the Australian cricket team tour there again, will need to pack the sandpaper and Trump suit.

  • paraneoplastic on 04/08/2019 - 23:10
    +21

    The terrorist attacks really dessimated the local economy which had only really begun to flourisg after the end of the civil war 10 years ago… Really sad to see.

    I've been a few times and it's pretty much a cleaner version of India with more english capable people

    • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 08:13

      Interesting.
      Any comparison to a quieter Bali, or other SE Asian islands?

      • paraneoplastic on 05/08/2019 - 10:39
        +3

        Havent been to Bali, but have been to Thailand malaysia etc, again it's cleaner and less chaotic (the irony), people are friendlier always inquisitive if you extend them a greeting and generally a really nice nature-orientated tourism industry (safari's , jungle resorts etc).

        Compared to SE Asia countries, dirtier, motorbikes are like flying bullets left right and center, there's also natural beauty but a lot of it is manmade, people aren't as friendly and i noticed would try to rip you off more often

    • Some Guy on 28/08/2019 - 16:38

      It's far less interesting than India on every front. The beaches are nothing special, the "ruins" are dull in comparison (only Sigiriya is worth visiting), food is not a patch on India's offerings, and the people were dishonest and disrespectful. At least that I how experienced it in 2001.

  • Fexofenadine on 04/08/2019 - 23:18
    +1

    For anyone planning on visiting, I encourage you to read this to help plan your stay and travel in the most ethical way you can: https://www.srilankacampaign.org/ethical-tourism/thinkagain/

  • R4 on 04/08/2019 - 23:22
    +8

    I'm in. Everyone I know who's been there has loved the place

    • geoffs87 on 04/08/2019 - 23:46
      +3

      You don’t know me, but i’ve Been and I loved it! Now everyone you do and don’t know that’s been there has loved it.

      • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 00:48
        +24

        You don’t know me

        Male
        Born in 1987
        Surname starts with S
        Given name Geoff
        OzBargain member
        Lives in NSW
        Has visited Sri Lanka
        Attempted a purchase from Hush Puppies in July
        Has an affinity for acquiring hotel-supplied amenities
        Has very honest parents
        Plays Nintendo Switch
        Has visited the US
        Is loaded with cash across numerous ETFs

        Still think I don't know you?

        [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 00:48 (Collapsed - Offtopic. Show)
        • Damn12345 on 05/08/2019 - 08:00

          Which ETFs?

          • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 08:17

            @Damn12345: That's classified information 😎

          • geoffs87 on 05/08/2019 - 09:30

            @Damn12345: I’ll never share my secrets!

        • geoffs87 on 05/08/2019 - 09:27
          +1

          I feel, violated…

          Haha well played.

  • SDF05 on 04/08/2019 - 23:24
    +11

    It's unfortunate what happened to my home country in Sri Lanka but besides the easter terrorist attacks it's a wonderful place to visit. Nowadays it's been cooled down a bit and most people have resumed the day-to-day stuff, and places and hotels are much cheaper so get the best of them now before they increase the prices again (some of my relatives told me it was really easy to enjoy since the roads weren't as crowdy as before).

    As a caution, make sure to be safe at all times, make sure you have your belongings with you and not being lifted by someone that seems untrustworthy to you, and don't stay with large crowds for too long (the terrorist attacks happened to places with large crowds, and it might happen again, who knows?)

    Feels like i'm advertising for the Lankan government, but hey, prices are really cheap and you won't see these kinds of prices a year from now so better have some fun while you're at it. It honestly sucks what happened to the people during the Easter attacks but the last thing this country needs to be is being deserted by people who do have a fun time in Sri Lanka.

  • aurotaro on 04/08/2019 - 23:37
    +20

    Just returned from our 2 week trip there travelling with our 6 month old. Couldn't have felt more safer.

    Great country to visit. Need any tips, message me.

    Shame I had to pay the visa fee.

    • geoffs87 on 04/08/2019 - 23:47
      +2

      Credit card price guarantee? 🤣

    • supaderp on 05/08/2019 - 12:41

      As in you felt safer returning or over there? Also "more safer", superlative much?

    • jv on 05/08/2019 - 00:09
      +4

      We went to china and had a great (and very safe) time.

      Is it visa free?

      • Bluberry on 05/08/2019 - 00:19
        -4

        Nope but i would rather pay than be killed!

      • antevasin on 05/08/2019 - 00:22
        -1

        Hainan island is and parts of it like Shenzhen are (on the metro from hong kong)

        • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 09:56
          +1

          Do they have Hainan Chicken rice in hainan island?

    • Propaganda on 05/08/2019 - 05:55
      +5

      Uh, yeah because China doesn't have this stuff, right?
      "Muslim vs anti muslim sentiments" - Maybe you missed the persecution of Uyghur Muslims.
      "Civil untrest/tension/political upheaval" - Because Hong Kong hasn't been all over the news recently.

      Tell me again how China is so much safer.

      • mrvaluepack on 05/08/2019 - 06:36
        +3

        Only western china. The main cities, beijing & shanghai are what bluberry was referring to.

        • Propaganda on 05/08/2019 - 16:41
          +1

          So we're not considering Hong Kong a main city?

  • MeerkatWongy on 05/08/2019 - 00:20

    Probably just wait it out for the terrorist activities (grace period if ever).

  • YoursTruly on 05/08/2019 - 00:56

    Why is this a bargain? it’s become a default.

    • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 08:18
      +8

      Vast majority here wouldn't have known. So posting this helped.

    • Lucille Bluth on 05/08/2019 - 09:34
      +1

      It's not a default. The visa waiver fee is only effective for 6 months.

  • LydiaG on 05/08/2019 - 01:38
    +1

    As announced by a local publication:

    https://www.newsfirst.lk/2019/08/01/free-tourist-visa-facili…

    Colombo (News 1st): The program to provide free visa facilities for tourists from 48 countries begins today (August 1). The Tourism Promotion Bureau said tourists from 48 countries, including India and China, will be able to visit Sri Lanka free of visa charges.

    The Bureau stated that its aim is to promote the tourism industry that has collapsed after the 04/21 terror attacks. The Cabinet of Ministers approved free tourist visa programs to attract more tourists to the country.

    Accordingly, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, India, Indonesia, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, Singapore, Britain and the United States are among the 48 nationalities who will be granted free visas.

    • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 08:24
      +1

      9 negs, but they're not willing to validate with a comment.

      Some places take the piss and leave backpackers/the-broke (to name two) in a serious pickle, when they comfortably run their money down to nothing… Only to be stung at the last minute.

      If you're lucky enough to have any money (at all), or credit card, then you're off to pull-out another lump again.

      I'm sure there's some reason, but it should all be in the ticket price or entry, upfront.

      • try2bhelpful on 05/08/2019 - 08:33

        Seriously, if you are that close to the wind then you, probably, shouldn’t be travelling in the first place as you are a step away from disaster at every turn. Part of travel is to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover the unexpected expense. However, if you do your checks beforehand this wouldn’t be unexpected. If you decide not to go somewhere based on a still pretty paltry exit tax then you, perhaps, need to look at the overall cost of the travel to put it in perspective.

        • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 09:28

          On that side of the fence are control freaks, needing to know everything before making a step. Sanitising the full experience.
          Part of travel is to relax, and go where the adventure takes you.

          • try2bhelpful on 05/08/2019 - 09:42

            @Ulysses31: You haven’t negated my comment. Doing research and being prepared is not being a control freak. Ensuring you have sufficient funds to cover unexpected costs is prudent. I don’t depend on crowd funding to source my travel, or to get me out of trouble. It is called being intelligent and self sufficient. The advantage of having the funds is you can go where the adventure takes you rather than sitting in a hostel whining you can’t afford to do anything.

            • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 16:42

              @try2bhelpful: It's not a contest, and I'm not here to counter your content. You can be pin-point & critical forever. Living in a safe bubble, with excess of everything. You appear to have created a scenario in your head. Nothing to do with any of my points. But you've reminded me of Ben Stiller in Along Came Polly. Hilarious.

              • try2bhelpful on 05/08/2019 - 16:56
                -1

                @Ulysses31: You seem to have decided that people visiting these places have an agenda to be entertained by poverty, I think you are wrong - that is the difference of opinion here. I'm not the one who has came up with this scenario, therefore, it is up to you to prove the proposition you have made. Given the negatives, I would say your proposition is not accurate for the group you have proposed it for. If you think that Ben Stiller films are hilarious then I think you have made my point on your views.

                • Ulysses31 on 13/08/2019 - 08:20

                  @try2bhelpful: Again, with a strange & incorrect scenario. Too many failed guesses. Game over, gramps.

    • Lucille Bluth on 05/08/2019 - 20:06

      There is no departure tax?? I go there twice every year since 2015 and never been charged a fee

  • samehada on 05/08/2019 - 02:46
    -3

    After I checked again, all the news only mention about the reduction of fees but in fact did not even mention about how much. Finally I have found out the info. The ONLY reason why they do not even mention about the amount in most of the news is that it is just bullshit reduction.

    https://economynext.com/Sri_Lanka_to_cut_embarkation_tax_by_US$10_to_boost_tourism-3-15031-12.html

    The reduction in the "Embarkation (aka Departure) Tax is merely $10 USD. Their tax after reduction is still $50USD which is $73AUD, still quite a rip-off.

    Australia charge $60AUD departure tax (increased from $55) which is very high and Sri Lanka even charge a higher tax after the dud reduction.

    Australia Passenger Movement Charge PMC (AU) A$60.00
    Sri Lanka Embarkation Tax (LK) A$73.20

    • Lucille Bluth on 05/08/2019 - 20:07
      -1

      There is no departure tax …

      • samehada on 05/08/2019 - 20:10
        +1

        It is charged in your flight ticket.

  • TheMindsetTraveller on 05/08/2019 - 07:17
    +10

    I would have no hesitation returning backeven what happened, once in a decade event.

    USA just had its 250th masss shooting for 2019 and there's no signs of stopping.

    • tempura on 05/08/2019 - 07:35
      -1

      are you saying if it's meant to be, it's meant to be ?

      • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 08:29

        It appears the drunk is saying every 10 years is pretty good, but the Yankees have it down to a fine art. If you're looking to get murdered on holidays, that's the place to do it.

      • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 10:01

        https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDo0H8Fm7d0

  • tempura on 05/08/2019 - 07:34

    what's on top of your list that would you recommend me to eat in Srilanka if I'll only be there for 3 hours transit?
    it got to be savoury and not sweets.

    • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 08:30
      -4

      Airport food.

    • hypie on 05/08/2019 - 08:58

      3 hours transit won't get you much, you won't be able to get out of the airport really. The airport is ok.

    • TheMindsetTraveller on 05/08/2019 - 09:08
      +1

      3hrs wont be enough time really

      That said Ministry of Crab does some delicious crabs and spectacular prawn curry.

      • RIPwallet on 05/08/2019 - 09:25
        -4

        From my personal experience, I didn't love my experience at ministry of crab, especially after spending over 80 AUD pp. The food seemed pretty average to me and the bread we ordered was rock hard.

    • npnp on 05/08/2019 - 10:19

      Don't even get out of airport if it's just 3 hrs. With traffic congestion, you are more than likely to miss your flight.

    • Lucille Bluth on 05/08/2019 - 20:10

      The airport is too far from the city. Takes about 45-1 hour each way.

    • hypie on 05/08/2019 - 08:57
      +2

      Clearly yet another case of someone who knows nothing about what he's talking about and yet still opens their mouth as if your opinion based on no fact offers value to anyone.

      • freakatronic on 05/08/2019 - 09:23
        -1

        You think? Cause all I see are downvotes from triggered kids who think they're doing a favour to a poor country by buying overpriced handmade goods in a street market.

        • try2bhelpful on 05/08/2019 - 09:36

          I would like to know what your definition of a kid is? By your reckoning I’m due to hit my midlife crises when I’m 100.

          • freakatronic on 05/08/2019 - 09:40

            @try2bhelpful: Missing the point? Or purposely avoiding the point.

            • try2bhelpful on 05/08/2019 - 09:45

              @freakatronic: Nope, just pointing out your assumptions are invalid. Maybe you missed the subtle way I did this. The rest of your argument is incorrect as well.

              • freakatronic on 05/08/2019 - 09:56
                -1

                @try2bhelpful: My argument that westerners find poverty entertaining is in no way invalidated by your self massage, subtle though it may be.

        • [Deactivated] on 05/08/2019 - 09:58

          You were downvoted by 8 Sri Lankans but upvoted by 3 Australians, hence your score is -5. Nothing to worry about.

          • freakatronic on 05/08/2019 - 10:02
            -1

            @[Deactivated]: I would assume the opposite - that I was downvoted by 8 pious Australians desperate to get a multicultural medal, and upvoted by 3 Sri Lankans who are realistic about why they left home.

            • try2bhelpful on 05/08/2019 - 14:38
              +1

              @freakatronic: as you know if you assume you make an ass out of u and me.

              I think that advertising companies would love to be able to use your divination capabilities. However, I think you are dead wrong and the comments here seem to back me up.

              I’m a westerner, many generations back, and I’m not amused by poverty; however, I’m sure you will negate my personal experience as it doesn’t fit your narrative.

              Given your downvotes I’m pretty sure you are the one with the sore hand.

  • npnp on 05/08/2019 - 09:04
    +24

    1) cheap flights (as low as $500 return via AirAsia) or direct flights from Melbourne via Sri Lankan Airlines (around $1,000 return)

    2) Accommodation, hotel and Airbnb prices have been dropped dramatically after Easter bombing so great prices up for grabs (Airbnb for 10 people 2 storey house with Aircon 5 rooms and two baths I saw in Airbnb for December break for just 50$ per night!)

    3) Full package - from nice beaches to rainforests, archeological sites to sacred cities, wild life and nice waterfalls. Hiking, surfing and even rafting all within such a small island

    4) Very friendly people who are more than willing to help out for nothing in return (Buddhist culture). And most of them do understand English, all road signs, name boards of shops etc have English (unlike many other popular tourist destinations)

    5) Uber is available almost all main cities, hiring a car is very cheap as well (make sure to hire with the driver because you need extra driving skills to drive there don't even try. Lol)

    Note: like in any other tourist destination, you must use your common sense at all times. Be vary with people who are overly helpful, always seek help from regular people, especially women. Also get out of Colombo as soon as you can. If you stuck in traffic there you will hate the country. Sydney traffic is nothing compared to Colombo traffic.

    • GePees on 05/08/2019 - 09:10
      +5

      A helpful comment

      • Ulysses31 on 05/08/2019 - 09:24
        +6

        Agreed.
        But the reference to Buddhism is a bit naive. You could replace that team name with any other, and still be accurate.

        Great people flying any flag are great people. And the opposite, equally true.

  • GePees on 05/08/2019 - 09:08
    +11

    This is where we go on our honeymoon in two weeks. Woo Hoo
    https://www.resort98acres.com/

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