Sri Lanka suspends ‘on arrival visa’ facility for Pakistanis

ISLAMABAD: Sri Lanka has suspended ‘on arrival visa’ facility for Pakistani nationals with immediate effect, ARY News reported Friday.

The letter of issued by Sri Lankan Ministry of Defence and rban Development available with ARY News reads, “On arrival visa facility for Pakistani nationals has been suspended.”

However it adds that, “The diplomatic passport, official passport and service passport holders are exempted from the newly imposed restrictions.”

The letter says “the visa for businesses and other purposes granted by the Sri Lankan High Commission in Pakistan and head office office of Immigration and Emigration are allowed for clearance upon arrival.”

It further reads that the other visas granted on special requests are also exempted from the above restrictions.

According to media reports, the Sri Lankan government took the step due to large number of political asylum seekers in their country.