Colombo: Sri Lanka has extended the validity of all types of visas for foreigners in the country till April 12 asking no one to visit the immigration office until April 08 as the Indian Ocean island stepped up a battle against coronavirus and discouraged public gatherings.

Sri Lanka’s Controller of Immigration has ordered all visas to be valid from March 14 to April 12 without having to visit the immigration office for stamping, the state information office said.

Foreigners are asked to come to Sri Lanka’s immigration office in Bataramulla on either April 08 or April 09 to get their passports stamped.

Any foreigner whose visa had expired could leave the island by paying any extension fees at the airport without being subject to any penalty.

Anyone who had given their passports to the Department of Immigration and Emigration and has an acknowledgement could use it till April 12.

If a foreigner who has given the passport to the immigration office wishes to leave the country, and only if they wish the leave the country, should forward a copy of their air ticket to several emails, and further instructions would be given by the department.

Inquiries could be made at the following number: 0771 388 724.

Sri Lanka is halting inbound passengers to all airports until March 25, the Civil Aviation Authority said, but departures are permitted.