COLOMBO (News 1st): The validity period of all types of visas issued to foreigners will be extended for a period of 30 days from the 14th of this month to the 12th of April, the Government Information Department said on Wednesday.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has urged all such foreign nationals, to visit the visa division at the Department located in the Suhurupaya building, Battaramulla, on either the 8th or 9th of April, to get the visa extended after making the relevant payment for the visa extension.

“If any foreign national wishes to leave the country, before the 8th or 9th of April, the relevant payment for the visa extension, can be made at the airport,” the department said adding that those people will not have to pay a fine for the extra period when the payment is paid at the airport.

Meanwhile, President Gotabaya Rajapaksa issuing an extraordinary gazette placed the Department of Immigration and Emigration under the purview of the Ministry of Defence.

Earlier the department, functioned under the purview of the State Minister of Defence.

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