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‘Visit Sri Lanka’ app to launch in mid-March 

16 Feb 2021

  • UNDP, ICTA working with SLTB on development

  • App to provide immigration data and safety info

  The Sri Lanka Tourism Board (SLTB) is to launch the official travel app “Visit Sri Lanka” in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) in mid-March 2021.  Speaking to The Morning Business, SLTB Tourism Planning Director Prasad Jayasuriya said: “The Ministry of Tourism granted clearance on 1 January 2021. So now we did some development. We have obtained the clearance from several authorities and are waiting for a nod from other authorities. We were planning to launch an app that is easy to use for everyone.” Furthermore, Jayasuriya mentioned that the SLTB is trying its best efforts to complete the development of the official version that is planned to be released to the public, after obtaining the essential clearances and approval from the relevant authorities. “We are trying our best to be advanced, but right now, we have developed a manual system. It will be out as soon as possible. We will try our best to release it in mid-March.” Jayasuriya stated.  The SLTB highlighted that the app is in the final stage of development. Sri Lanka Tourism has already reached out to UNDP Sri Lanka to gain technical and management assistance for post-Covid-19 recovery efforts. In addition to the travel app, SLTB said that it worked with UNDP Sri Lanka last year to develop a roadmap for the tourism sector, engage in immediate donor co-ordination and procurement support, and to co-host a roundtable discussion with partners on the roadmap and the way forward. “Visit Sri Lanka” was incepted to control the spread of the pandemic, which will be accentuated once the country reopens for international tourists in June 2020.  This app was initially planned as an extension of the online immigration form, where it would include more information relevant to the present situation. Currently, the online immigration forms only require basic information, such as the date of the flight. However, as the Covid-19 pandemic has made it necessary that more information be shared by the tourists to control the spread to ensure their safety, the SLTB, in collaboration with the UNDP and ICTA, initiated the official travel app of Sri Lanka. “We will put the app link on the online form, where tourists coming into Sri Lanka can download it. They will be required to enter information on when they will be arriving and the Level One and Two hotels they will be staying at, which they can book and pay for via the app.” Speaking to The Sunday Morning Business, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairperson Kimarli Fernando mentioned introducing the app last year.  Whilst the Version Zero (V0) of the app was ready and awaiting authorisation from the Immigration and Emigration Department to be linked with the online visa process in August 2020, the SLTB highlighted that the official version was being tested and is currently under development.  In addition, the SLTDA said it expresses its delight at releasing the official travel app in mid-March.


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