When I wrote the email to the High Commission in London last week, I also sent exactly the same one to the authorities in Sri Lanka.

And guess what? Yep, they have now emailed back with exactly the opposite answer to the one I got from London, saying that I need to fill an ETA in as soon as possible.

Just to be on the safe side, I have just filled it in here www.eta.gov.lk/visainfo/center.jsp and it seems to have gone through okay without them asking me for any money. I've had a thing with a reference number confirming they've received it and saying I should have an answer in the next 24 hours.

I wish they'd make their bloody minds up.

The website didn't give me the option to pay a fee I just filled my details in and pressed the submit button and then it went straight to a page giving me this, which I've also since received by email - and a text to my mobile confirming my reference number (I've XXXXd my details out for obvious reasons).

Will keep you posted with developments.

Dear MR XXXXXXXXXXXXX,

Your ETA application to visit Sri Lanka has been received.

Your reference number is XXXXXXXXXXX.

You will receive a response for your application within 24 hours.

You may make inquiries only after 24 hours of submission of your ETA application.

For inquiries
Telephone : 0094719967888
Fax : 0094112674631
E-mail : contvisa@immigration.gov.lk

The impression I've had from the incredibly complicated left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing dealings with them so far is that if you get an ETA before December 31 and pitch up there before March 31 next year, everything will be fine. The ETA isn't a visa - it's just an authorisation to travel and I have an email from the SLHC in London saying I don't need one anyway. Anyway, they have my arrival date on my ETA application.

Mind you, there's no telling how many more times they are going to move the goalposts again between now and March. I'll wait and see what transpires over the next 24 hours or so.

If only everything in life was this simple...