The government of Sri Lanka has taken a big decision regarding the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA). The Government of Sri Lanka has again decided to introduce the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) system. Now from October 15, all foreign travelers will be required to seek permission of ETA before entering the country. The Immigration Department has confirmed this in a statement released on 4 October. Let us know that in April 2024, the ETA system was temporarily closed and the new EVISA platform was introduced, which has now been removed. Later, the Sri Lankan Supreme Court ordered the cancellation of the new E-VISA platform and restored the old ETA system.
Decision was being opposed
The Sri Lankan government is working on a plan for administrative change in the Tourism and Immigration Department, but in the meantime it is facing religious opposition to the efforts to include all the people in the tourist area. Buddhist and Catholic religious leaders have expressed displeasure especially on the initiatives associated with the LGBTIQ community. He has lodged a strong protest against the recognition of an NGO’s diversity programs by the Sri Lanka Tourist Development Authority.
Protests are happening due to religious reasons
The controversy increased when the Sri Lanka Tourism Department issued a letter on 9 September appreciated the NGO ‘Equal Ground’, which had worked to promote diversity and equality in the tourist field sector before World Tourist Day 2025. Religious organizations then raised strong objections and accused the tourism department of promoting “immoral gay activities”.
The heads of the four major Buddhist sects of Sri Lanka have written a letter to President Anuraa Kumara Disanayake, in which they have condemned “promoting immoral gay activities”. His statement came when Catholic Church chief Malcolm Cardinal Ranjit also criticized efforts to implement “new and unacceptable cultural practices” in the country.
Buddhist religious leaders appeal
The Buddhist religious leaders have appealed to the President to stop activities they consider against Buddhist principles and traditional values. He said that such initiatives “promote immoral gay practices” and spread wrong messages in the society. According to current laws in Sri Lanka, homosexual relations fall under the category of crime. Section 365 of the Penal Code The sexual relations considered “against nature”, including gay relationships formed by mutual consent, have been considered a punishmentable crime.