We are informed that from 1st November, 2006 a Sri Lankan tourist Visa will only be issued for a period of 30 days.
No change of Visa class will be tolerated.
Residents Visas are near impossible to obtain!
Arugam.info has been approached by a few desperate long term expats, some of which have been in Sri Lanka for 10 years and more.
In two cases they are retired people who actually own property and in one case even a small hotel: They have been told to leave the island.
A recent relevant press release is reproduced herewith.
Arugam Bay has always benefited from long term visitors and we are naturally very concerned. Therefore we are actively investigating this matter and we are of course looking for legal loop holes, at the highest level.
As things stand, the normal 30 day visa will continue to be issued on arrival.
This is in line with Government plans to attract only “Quality” Tourists a la Maldives.
But any extension may no longer be granted any Tourist. If this is indeed implemented, it would represent a sharp departure from earlier practice when it was easy to extend a stay to 3 and 6 months at a time.
In a kind of Thai model, one solution would be to leave the island every 30 days to, say India, and return to collect a further 30 days on arrival.
We are informed that the Government has decided to clamp down on low budget and bogus tourists, prevent foreign home ownership and stop frequent abuses of the system by many unqualified NGO’s, foreign Karaoke and Casino bar girls and prostitutes, and many others working on the island without permits.
During the past few days we know that 3 months visas have been issued without much problems; at the published rates.
But, again, officials claim that as from the end of October new rules will be enforced.
19th October, 2006: News just in!
A new Immigration and Emmigration office has been opened in the North Central Province, Anuratnapura today. It is the first provincial office of its kind.
Arugam.info has long negotiated with relevant authorities to establish a branch office at Arugam Bay; we hope it will also happen one day.
Arugam.info is planning to visit this new location soon and investigate if S.L. Visas can be obtained there instead of the Head Office in Borella.
For many years, clever insiders wishing to travel to INDIA followed our advice and obtained their Indian Visa at the Assistant High Commission in KANDY instead of troublesome, long and cumbersome applications lodged at the main, Galle Face location of the India High Commission.
Often, the desired Indian Visa was issued in Kandy at once, or within the same day and in a much better, more polite fashion.
Arugam.info hopes that Sri Lankan Visas can be obtained with similar ease at Anuratnapura.
We will let you know.
That is just crazy, Sri Lanka needs all the tourists they can get to get money into the poor country.
I want to stay maybe 6 month in Abay, but man I don´t want to go to india 5 times
.
What about the foregin hotelowners in Abay and what about yourself Fred (and Simon)?
/A worried Thom
A provincial Immigration office is a good idea.
Let’s hope it works out!
Well they are crazy monkeys,arent they…?
It started with Indo 3 yrs ago, now the Thais are jumping on the bandwagon .. plus the lankans..
Bring back gunboat diplomacy i say..!!!!
Why does any one read this crappy,ill informed and mediocre site.Who is the ignorant idiot that runs it?Christian Popp, Bavaria,Germany
@christian
If you want to be taken seriously then you should be more specific in your claims. What about writing what information is not correct or “ill” or why you think the person who runs it is an idiot?.
Don´t just complain, back it up and it might end up positive!
“Why does any one read this crappy,ill informed and mediocre site”
LOOOOOOL
ask yourself, you wouldn´t be writing here if you didn´t read here 
Gruess Gott, Christian!
Thanks for you contribution!
The Visa matter will be decided soon; no worry there.
To answer your question about this site: Nobody -and also everybody runs Arugam.info
Anyone can post and publish anything; would you like to help to get it better?
www.Arugam.info is a true, interactive and not censored site which needs people, like you, to change its direction - if you don’t like what you see so far.
We, here in remote and hard hit Arugam Bay simply report (as fairly as possible) what concerns us, what we see and experience.
Obviously we are not perfect, but unlike many NGO’s we are willing to learn.
We never critisise people or anybody just for the sake of it; we do it only to try to improve matters.
Cheers & Ein Prosit der Gemuetlichkeit,
Fred
PS: Which Organization do you work for?
Hi
I have just recieved this information from www.lankaland.com
IF this is correct it should not be a problem to stay for a long holyday in Arugam Bay:-))
News on Sri Lankan Visa Extention
Visa rules have tightened to fight illegal workers (mostly from China). If you want to stay up to 30 days you will be given a visa at the Colombo airport - as always. But if you want to stay more than 30 day in Sri Lanka, it’s strongly recommended to get a 3 month visa at the Sri Lankan embassy in your country. This season it sometimes seems to be difficult to get a 30 day airport visa extended to a 90 day visa at the Department of Immigration in Colombo. The extention of a 90-day visa (to get another 3 months or so) seems to be as easy as always.
I have just recieved this information from www.lankaland.com
IF this is correct it should not be a problem to stay for a long holyday in Arugam Bay
Keep on smiling.
We tried to extend our Visa at Borella this morning.
Refused!
But some other guys seem to have got what they wanted.
In other words: If there are ruels, nobody seems to know what they are, and the officials do what they want.
It’s a hit and miss situation.
We are off to Thailand this afternoon.
Maybe they welcome our money there……
Visa rules are tight now since hundreds of NGO’s appeared on the island together with all the cash they need (to sustain themselves and their elaborate lifestyle).
Watch out and DON’t overstay!
We were just 2 days over our 30 days and they made a hell of a full at the airport yesterday.
You are correct Dominic.
Similar problems at the exit point are well known to us.
Stick to the rules; what ever they may be - That is our advice.
Fred,Who ever you are.I overstayed my visa and nobody cared less at the airport.More to the point,why are you paying those Karuna thugs extortion monies along with the volk from Hello Madam and Beach Hut and why is that not mentioned on your site.That is a much bigger problem for us all who visit Arugam Bay than the visa rules.Maybe you guys need to be deported,Christian.
Dear Christian,
Good to see that you you have not (as yet?) turned back on this ‘crappy’ (?!) site!
You are quite right though, about the newly arrived ‘Corona’ guys in town!
Is this group really as bad as the other American Import, the Mexican beer….with a similar name (?)
As you seem to know so much, incl. insider’s information as it seems about this delicate issue:
Please feel free to submit your views to Greg, the webmaster, so that your article can be published for all to see. As long as your views don’t endanger anyone’s life we can even assign your report a main topic slot if you like.
As you know, this is a serious and rather dangerous issue for all residents - so why not try to help to resolve the matter?
From a safe distance like South Germany it must be pretty easy for you - whoever YOU are.
Fred,You of all moralists should know,extortion will not make things better.It will make them worse and you are now part of the problem and not the solution.You are paying thugs money under duress.Have you learnt nothing from our Nazi Past?Wake up and grow some balls before you forget you should have them!Stop replying in code and tell the truth.Christian
Ever since 2nd December, 2006 I tried to send the reply below as PRIVATE email to Christian>
However, the email address given by Christian (?) is incorrect and the mail has been returned.
As we are going to be without Internet (or land line phone) connections from now on, I decided to copy and paste the original mail.
The entire issue has nothing to do with Visa Rules; but as the flow of news from the Eastern Province is restricted from now on; this may serve as a little insight into local affairs:
Hi Christian,
I am writing to your email address directly, because I feel that a continued dialog in an open Forum would not benefit the Community, or indeed both of us who seem to have an interest in the welfare of Arugam Bay.
I don’t know why you appear to be so negative and somewhat aggressive towards us, or maybe its only towards myself in person?
But - don’t worry, I am used to it and I have learned to live with such and constant death threads.
I must be doing something right…..
As you know we even had a couple of sharp hand grenades lobbed at us a few years ago; just to prove the point that “they” are serious opponents and not exactly our best fans…
So let me assure you that although I am a Pacifist (now), I never back out of a conflict and I in fact do enjoy a little battle.
Regarding the Karouna group I happen to know a little; perhaps more that you think.
And although we try to remain totally neutral, it is fair to say that we don’t enjoy recent developments.
However, as long as you don’t come out in the open, and we know who you actually are (i.e. We obviously know each other, but also obviously not good enough - otherwise you would voice a different opinion..) I am unable to give you more details or a better insight.
For all I know, you could be an agent, or a front for …who ever..?
All I can tell you is that neither I, or the SVH or anyone connected with us has given ANYTHING to the men who kept coming to us asking for cash donations for a new office at PottuVille.
Indeed, I personally ejected guys because I don’t allow guns on the premises.
Someone in this violent Country has to make a start……
As far as I know, we are the only people who got away with our firm stand, so far.
In this context, it makes no difference who comes to us with such demands: We are known to have reacted exactly the same with all armed groups, over the years.
We tried our level best to help and assist the ones in need; and our little place is known to be a little impartial sanctury, specially in difficult times.
Other foreigners, and some who are actually married locally have actually left the area, maybe for the reason you mentioned.
I suggest, that in the interest of the Bay, and the poor residents we should try to find a way to work TOGETHER - and try to forget any differences (you seem to possess).
I certainly have no problem with you!
How about it?
Cheers
and Thanks for your interest!
Fred & Somlak
SVH Team
Arugam Bay
Ps: Please understand that I devoted more than half my life, since 1977 to try to promote Sri Lanka - I am not the kind of guy who gives up so easy, but I have realised that at times my approach was not the best……so : Sorry for that!
Fred,You have been involved in the last few months advising and encouraging those paying the Karuna faction.This is well known, as is the involvement of other foreigners in Arugam Bay who have personally gone to the Karuna Headquarters and witnessed the payments.All out Civil War is about to happen,all of you who have financially involved yourselves in extortion payments should leave ASAP for your own safety.
Guys,
Keep up the good work. I loved Sri Lanka especially ABay and I want to come back and maybe buy a piece of land for later days. Is the government really being that stupid?
Anyway Have a great New year!
All the best.
James
James
Thanks for your kind wishes.
Good work?
We still try our level best, but it is just impossible to please everyone.
Lucky that Ceylon is blessed with so much beauty and fantastic recourses!
As a holiday destination and tropical dream it will always succeed, no matter how strange the Government and many dishonest locals behave.
Everything Sri Lanka has to offer can still be found in and around Arugam Bay.
We are 100% convinced that AbaY is going to be Asia’s rising star -one fine day.
The addition of many more, nice expats will certainly benefit our happy mixed community and your cash injection into the local economy is also most welcome.
A few wise men have already realized: Now is the time to buy & invest!
Prices and morale will never be that low again.
All the best & let us hope for a better New Year!
Fred
SVH Team
Arugam Bay