Sri Lanka Tourism Reopens Its Gates for Fully Vaccinated Indian Traveler

Published: 26 Aug, 2021By Pallavi Roy

Sri Lanka is now ready to welcome fully vaccinated tourists from India (including transit) from August 19. It has reopened for those who have fully vaccinated with both the doses. Whether it is Covid Shield or Covaxin, all Indians are allowed without any restriction in Sri Lanka who have strictly followed all the Covid-19 guidelines and have fully vaccinated themselves.

‘Sri Lanka has reopened for fully vaccinated tourists from India, including those who have got Covaxin and on arrival travelers will go to their hotel where RT-PCR test will be conducted’ – Dimuthu Tennakoon, the head of worldwide sales and distribution of Sri Lankan Airlines.

Non-vaccinated or partially vaccinated tourists will be strictly prohibited from entry to Sri Lanka. However, if the tourist has recovered from covid-19 only with one dose of covid-19 vaccine then the entry will not be restricted. Sri Lanka is currently accepting all kinds of vaccines including Covaxin. It is a great effort from the side of the Sri Lankan government to rekindle the interest in travel among travelers.

Sri Lanka Tourism latest update

• Sri Lanka will increase its air connectivity to India from September 1 2021.
• Prior approval is necessary from the ministry of foreign affairs or civil aviation authority of Sri Lanka for travel.
• There is no restriction on the minimum duration of stay in a hotel.
• Tourists will get all the facilities from hotels and no restrictive quarantine is necessary.
• For travel you need to have a valid visa. If you are applying for it online then do it at eta.gov.Lk.
• Transfers from airports needed to be arranged either by a certified safe and secure hotel or Safe and secure travel agent.

Covid-19 Travel Guidelines for Sri Lanka

Following Covid-19 rules to travel to Sri Lanka are –

• If you are travelling to Sri Lanka, you should be fully vaccinated with both doses. The person will be allowed to enter Sri Lanka two weeks post taking the last dose.
• A negative RT-PCR report is mandatory which should not be less than 72 hours.
• You have to book your hotel in advance. It is important to book L1 Safe and Secure 3 Star or above category hotels for the first two days before applying for a visa or until the arrival PCR test is done.
• It is very important to have covid-19 local travel insurance cover or a travel insurance policy of USD 50,000 up to a period of 1 month.
• You are exempted from the PCR test if you are taking the arrival PCR test at your own cost (40 USD per test).
• Children below the age of 2 years are exempted from PCR test. It is only allowed if the parents or guardian’s PCR test report is positive.
• Tourists can visit approved tourist sites under the safety of a bio-bubble.

About Sri Lanka Tourism

Sri Lanka is a land of legends and rich cultures. Be it the calmness of nature or the chill vibes of nightlife, Sri Lanka’ s exquisite shores will teleport you into the world of fairy-tale. It is small in size but has 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Numerous wonders like beaches, national parks, hills, tea-estates and surreal religious sites makes Sri Lanka the best international holiday destination in the world. So, planning a vacation in Sri Lanka will be worth it.

Some of the Popular Destinations & Tourist Attractions to Visit in Sri Lanka

• Adam’s Peak is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Sri Lanka. Sunrise view from the top of the mountain and gorgeous landscapes will compel you to stay there forever.
• Village of Mirissa is one of the must visit tourist destinations in Sri Lanka. This village is scenic and surreal. The beach of Mirissa is less crowded and perfect for a relaxing beach vacation. Fishing and whale watching is the best thing to do here.
• Yala National Park has the highest Leopard densities in the world. Decked with nature’s beauty all around and exotic wildlife, Yala National Park is a top tourist attraction to visit in Sri Lanka.
• Hustle and bustle of the city life of Colombo is the best thing to do in Sri Lanka. It is also an ideal budget international travel destination to visit in Sri Lanka. You can try out different cuisines, explore museums and temples and check out the nightlife of this stunning place.
• Without visiting Jaffna your Sri Lanka tour from India will be incomplete. It is a land of beautiful temples and historical monuments which shows a lot about the culture and heritage of Sri Lanka.
• Ulpotha in Sri Lanka is a must visit destination as it is a perfect getaway for a relaxing holiday in the lap of nature. There are many Ayurveda centers for Yoga to relax your soul.
• Travelling to SriLanka would be memorable, if you visit Tissamaharama. It is an ideal retreat for photography lovers. Tissa Weva Lake and stupas add serenity and tranquility to its surroundings.

If you are planning your holidays in Sri Lanka then there is no need to wait as the government has already reopened tourism for Indians. Sri Lanka’s surreal destinations, exquisite environment, vibrant culture and delicious cuisines would surely make your holidays filled with joy but make sure you follow all the Covid-19 travel rules. If you have any query related to planning your trip in Sri Lanka then you can comment on the comment section.