Sri Lanka is accelerating its electronic travel authorization (ETA) modernization initiative to strengthen its digital infrastructure and restore confidence among travelers following earlier disruptions in the visa system. The renewed effort underscores the government’s focus on secure, scalable, and locally governed digital services for both travelers and public administration.
The overhaul comes after the Supreme Court annulled the e-visa contract with VFS Global earlier this year, citing violations of procurement norms and a lack of transparency. Operations have since reverted to the Mobitel-managed ETA platform, which has served as the country’s official digital visa gateway since 2012.
Authorities are now implementing a technology-first approach, prioritizing enhanced identity verification, fraud prevention, cloud interoperability, and stronger backend scalability. The system’s modernization aims to deliver faster processing, greater resilience, and improved accessibility during peak travel seasons.
Officials view the initiative as central to Sri Lanka’s tourism and economic recovery, positioning the ETA system as a cornerstone of the country’s digital governance model. Travelers have been advised to use the official ETA gateway to ensure security and compliance.
The modernization reflects Sri Lanka’s growing commitment to digital sovereignty, emphasizing local data control, transparency, and public trust. As staged upgrades continue, the project is expected to strengthen both national digital capacity and global visitor confidence, supporting the country’s long-term tourism-led growth strategy.
