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Chinese embassy to launch new online visa system

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The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced that they will officially launch the “China Visa Online Application System” from June 30, 2025.

An embassy spokesperson has addressed the following FAQs with regard to the new system. 

For further details and enquiries, please visit https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/.htm or contact the Consular Office (Tel: 0094-112676658;Email: [email protected]), the embassy adds.

A: Applicants can visit the website https://consular.mfa.gov.cn/VISA/ to fill out the visa application form online, upload the required documents, and the application will enter the preliminary review phase. During this period, applicants can log into the website to check the application status and, as required, modify the form or supplement application documents. When the status of the order changes to “Passport to be submitted”, please submit the application in person with passport and documents, provide biometric information (e.g. fingerprints). The application will now enter the final review stage. If approved, the applicant is required to visit the Chinese Embassy again to collect the passport and visa and pay visa fees.

A: Yes, the online visa application system requires an account registration and login. Currently, only email registration is supported.

A: When filling out the application form online, applicants can still select “Normal” or “Express” processing method. However, this selection does not affect the timeline of the preliminary review phase. The expedited processing will only accelerate the procedure after the online preliminary review is approved and physical documents have been submitted offline. An additional fee is required for expedited processing, and the request cannot be revoked once submitted. If the consular officer decides to extend the processing time based on a case-by-case review, the expedited service fee will not be refunded.
Generally, the online preliminary review takes about 1-3 working days, and the review after submitting the passport takes 3-4 working days. Submitting an application too early (e.g. 1 month or more in advance) may cause a backlog in the visa system and may not be processed in a timely manner.It is recommended to apply for a visa two or three weeks in advance.

A: Online applications can be processed by yourself or by someone else.
Except for those who meet the conditions for exemption from fingerprints collection, after the online preliminary review is passed, applicants must leave fingerprints when submitting passports and other materials to the Embassy. Those who are exempt from fingerprint collection can entrust others to submit passports, collect visa and pay for the fees.

A: The visa application system will be undergoing an upgrade from 17:00 on June 27 to 08:00 on June 30. Any applications submitted during this period are invalid. After 08:00 on June 30, apply via the new procedure.
Visa application forms submitted through the original system before June 27 remain valid. You may submit your documents in person using the existing procedure by 17:00 on June 27. After this time, applicants must reapply online through the new process.

A: No. The new system is only applicable to visas for mainland China. Applicants who are eligible to apply for Hong Kong and Macao visas at our Embassy still submit their application documents to the Embassy in the original way.

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Internet access to all secondary schools by 2026 end – PM

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The government hopes to provide internet access to all secondary schools in Sri Lanka by the end of 2026.

Prime Minister and Education, Higher Education and Vocational Education Minister Harini Amarasuriya said this in Parliament yesterday (July 09).

She said that as a start up towards fulfilling this goal, the Government has introduced Rs.5,000 unlimited data packages to schools in the country.

The Prime Minister also revealed that a National Education Management System is being developed at present with the support received from the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) under the ‘Clean Sri Lanka’ initiative.

The Education Minister said that plans are afoot to provide smart boards and other relevant computer equipment and accessories to around 1,000 schools in the country initially and stated that Cabinet approval has been already received in this regard.

She further informed the House that the Government has made a decision to distribute 1,900 smart boards to 1,500 schools in the country that badly require them.

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Body of man found in Homagama

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The body of a man has been found on the unopened Homagama alternative road this morning (July 10), police said.

The victim, believed to be about 35 years old, had a head wound consistent with being struck by a weapon, a swollen neck, and a visible blood stain near his neck, according to police.

The alternative route, which remains unopened, is reportedly very dark at night. Investigators suspect the man was killed elsewhere and transported by vehicle before being dumped at the scene.

Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) officers from the Nugegoda Police Division have begun preliminary investigations, while the Homagama Police are conducting further inquiries.

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Imported milk powder prices upped

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The price of a 400g pack of imported milk powder has been raised by Rs.100, according to the Milk Powder Importers’ Association.

Previously priced at Rs.1,100, the new cost for a 400g pack is now Rs.1,200.

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