IMPORTANT NOTICE
- Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Melbourne accepts all Consular related applications both by post and pre-booked appointments in – person at the counter from Sri Lankans residing in Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania.
- In case of urgent consular matters, appointment can be requested by sending email to mail@slcgmel.org
- For document attestations and certifications including power of attorney, applicants can secure appointments by forwarding a formal request to mail@slcgmel.org
- Please attend your appointment on time. Your delay will cause difficulties.
- Applicants are requested to read all information / instructions /guidelines and the the checklist relevant to your application in the official website of the Consulate General carefully and ensure all required supportive documents are attached.
- Please be informed that the consular fees can be paid in Cash or by Debit Card only. Tap & Pay facility is not available.
- For collection of Passports / Citizenship Certificate/Verification Letters/ Driver Licenses and signing of Life Certificates, the applicants are requested to visit the Consulate only between 9.15am – 9.30am and 1.30pm -1.45pm.
ශ්රී ලංකා ප්රජාතාන්ත්රික සමාජවාදී ජනරජයේ කොන්සල් ජනරාල් කාර්යාලය, මෙල්බර්න්, ඔස්ට්රේලියාව
இலங்கை சனநாயக சோசலிசக் குடியரசின் கொன்சுலர் அதிபதி அலுவலகம், மெல்பர்ன், ஆஸ்திரேலியா
The Consulate General Of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, Melbourne, Australia
Tourism and Leisure
Following the restoration of peace & stability in 2009, the Sri Lankan tourism industry has experienced a boom, both in tourist arrivals, and in revenue earned. Tourist arrivals numbered 2.3mn in 2018, with revenue of US$4.3bn being earned. This is projected to double to 4mn and US$7.0 respectively by 2020. The sector provides employment to almost 400,000 workers, and this is expected to grow with the attraction of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) through the Board of Investment (BOI), which has led to the establishment of international brands such as the Shangri-La Group (Hong Kong/ Singapore), the ITC Group (India), Movenpick Hotels & Resort Management (Switzerland), and Marriott International.
Sri Lanka has received international acclaim and recognition as a premier tourist destination, being ranked as the top country for travel in 2019 by Lonely Planet. Likewise, it was selected as the world’s best island to travel in 2019 by the ‘Travel and Leisure’ website, and in 2017 was ranked by Bloomberg as one of the 20 ‘hottest luxury tourism destinations.’
Investment & Growth
As the third-largest foreign exchange earner for the Sri Lankan economy, Tourism is central to the prosperity of the economy as a whole. In consideration of this, the government has introduced initiatives to facilitate investment and growth in Tourism. Destinations including Kuchchaveli in the Trincomalee District, Passikudah on the Eastern coast, and Kalpitiya on the north-western coast have been identified for development.
The ongoing expansion of the expressway network, with the opening of the Katunayake Expressway connecting the Bandaranaike International Airport to Colombo, and the construction of an expressway to the hill-capital of Kandy, promise to greatly reduce travel times for tourists. The opening of Sri Lanka’s second international airport in the southern Province,Hambantota District, and the proposed redevelopment of several domestic airports provides flexibility and convenience to tourists. Alongside the national carrier SriLankan Airlines, domestic airlines provide seaplane connections from Colombo to several destinations within the country.
Furthermore, as of August 1, 2019, the Sri Lankan government has waived visa fees for international tourists from 48 countries. Consequently, travellers applying for 30-day Tourist Visas are no longer required to pay for their Visas. Thus, as an increasingly popular, internationally acclaimed tourist destination, Sri Lanka offers exciting and lucrative opportunities for investors.
Wellness Tourism
As an integral part of Sri Lanka’s National Export Strategy, the concept of Wellness Tourism focuses on providing international travellers with services focusing on mental & physical wellbeing. Services including Ayurveda Resorts, Spas, and Yoga Retreats form the core of the industry. Favourable global trends have made wellbeing a tourism buzzword, with travellers increasingly seek hotels with health services and facilities. Although Wellness Tourism remains a new concept, and a nascent industry, Sri Lankan traditions of Ayurveda and traditional medicine provide the sector a unique advantage, and the potential for immense growth.
Potential areas for investment
- Tourist Accommodation & Services (Hotels / Resorts / Villas/ Higher-end restaurants)
- Leisure & Recreational (Golf Course, Entertainment Complexes, Theme Parks, Tourist
- Shopping Complexes, Eco-Lodges, Camping, Whale & Dolphin Watching, water Sports)
- Adventure & Eco Tourism (Adventure parks)
- Transportation (Yacht Marina, Coastal Ferry Services, Cruise Lines)
- Skill Development: Hotel / Hospitality Training Institutes
More Information
Visit the following sites for more information:
Sri Lanka Export Development Board
Contact Details
Board of Investment, Sri Lanka
General Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 24, West Tower, World Trade Centre, Colombo 01 | +94-11-2434403, +94-11-2346131 | info@boi.lk | +94112448105 |
| Contact Person & Designation | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Office of the Chairman | +94-11-2427002 | +94112447995 | |
| Office of the Director General | +94-11-2448105 | +94112448105 | |
| Mr. Vidharshan Fernando – Exceutive Director | +94 11 2477050 (0000), +94 77 7734738 | vidharshanf@boi.lk | |
| M.H. Casseer – Deputy Director (Country Desk for Australia & New Zealand) | +94 11 2427122 (7122), +94 77 7776779 | manojc@boi.lk | |
| Mr. Gamini Jayatilake–Director (Tourism, Agriculture & Knowledge Services) | +94-11-2346341, +94-77-7881712 | gaminij@boi.lk | |
| Mr.Prasanjith Wijayatilake – Executive Director (Investment Promotion) | +94 11 2335394 (7076), +94 77 2801300 | prasanjithw@boi.lk | |
| Ms.Nilupul de Silva – Director (Investment Promotion) | +94 11 2346345 (7042), +94 77 7915480 | nilupuls@boi.lk | |
| Mr.Mahinda Ramanayake – Executive Director (Investor Services) | +94 11 2331911 (7432), +94 77 3043241 | mahindar@boi.lk | |
| Mr.Ananda Rajakaruna – Director (Investor Services) | +94 11 2342401 (7430), +94 77 7805772 | anandar@boi.lk |
Sri Lanka Export Development Board
General Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 42, Nawam Mawatha, Colombo 01 | +94-11-2300705 (11) | edb@edb.gov.lk | +94112300715 |
| Contact Person & Designation | Telephone | |
|---|---|---|
| Mr. Prabash Subasinghe – Chairman | +94-11-2300712 | chairman@edb.gov.lk |
| Mrs. Jeevani Siriwardena – Director General | +94-11-2300675 | dg@edb.gov.lkjeevani@edb.gov.lk |
| Ms. K. Irugalbandara– Assistant Director(Construction, Wellness Tourism, Logistics) | +94-11-2300705, +94-11-2300711 (234) | kumudu@edb.gov.lk |
Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau(SLTPB) & Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA)
| Contact Person & Designation | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) AND Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) | +94-11-2426900 | +94112440001 | |
| Chairman’s Office (SLTPB) | +94-11-2437759 | +94112437753 | |
| Chairman’s Office (SLTDA) | +94-11-2426900 (105) | +94112437953 | |
| Managing Director’s Office | +94-11-2426900 (267) | md@srilanka.travel | |
| Director General’s Office | +94-11-2426916, +94-11-2426907 | +94112437953 | dg@srilanka.travel |
Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB)
General Contact Information
| Address | Telephone | Fax | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th floor, Hotel School building,No.78, Galle roadColombo-03Sri Lanka | +94114865050 | slcb@sltnet.lk | +94112472985 |
| Contact Person & Designation | |
|---|---|
| Mr.Kumar De Silva - Chairman | slcb@sltnet.lk |
| Mr.Krishantha Fernando | gmslcb@sltnet.lk |