<P> Visa requirements for Sri Lankan citizens are administrative entry restrictions by the authorities of other states placed on citizens of Sri Lanka . As of 1 January 2017, Sri Lankan citizens had visa - free or visa on arrival access to 38 countries and territories, ranking the Sri Lankan passport 95th in terms of travel freedom (tied with Bangladeshi and Iranian passports) according to the Henley visa restrictions index. Although Sri Lanka is a middle income country, successive Sri Lankan governments have made little or no efforts to improve the standing of the passport . Considering the extent of the Sri Lankan diaspora, a passport with wider access to the world could contribute to a more competitive and future ready society . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Country </Th> <Th> Visa requirement </Th> <Th> Notes (excluding departure fees) </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Afghanistan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Albania </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa free for a maximum stay of 90 days within 180 days for valid Or previously used visa issued by a Schengen area country, United States, or the United Kingdom </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Algeria </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Andorra </Td> <Td> Visa de facto required </Td> <Td> Multiple - entry Schengen visa covers entry . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Angola </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Antigua and Barbuda </Td> <Td> Electronic Entry Visa </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Argentina </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Armenia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Australia and territories </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> May apply online (Online Visitor e600 visa). </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Austria </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Azerbaijan </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bahamas </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 3 months </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bahrain </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 14 days who holds a valid residency permit Gulf Cooperation Council countries, who have already stayed for more than six months in their country of residence </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bangladesh </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Barbados </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 6 months </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Belarus </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Belgium </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Belize </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Benin </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bhutan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bolivia </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 90 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bosnia and Herzegovina </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Multiple - entry Schengen visa covers entry for 15 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Botswana </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Brazil </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa Free for Diplomatic & Official Passport holders </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Brunei </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bulgaria </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Multiple - entry Schengen visa covers entry </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Burkina Faso </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Burundi </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cambodia </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> Must arrive through designated airports </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cameroon </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Canada </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cape Verde </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Central African Republic </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Chad </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Chile </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> China </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> 30 days VISA on arrival for Official Passport holders </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Colombia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Comoros </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Republic of the Congo </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Democratic Republic of the Congo </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Costa Rica </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cote d'Ivoire! Côte d'Ivoire </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Croatia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Multiple - entry Schengen visa covers entry </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cuba </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa Free for Diplomatic & Official Passport holders </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cyprus </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Czech Republic </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Denmark </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Djibouti </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dominica </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 6 months </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dominican Republic </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ecuador </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 90 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Egypt </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> El Salvador </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Equatorial Guinea </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Eritrea </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Estonia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ethiopia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Fiji </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Finland </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> France </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Gabon </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> Electronic visa holders must arrive via Libreville International Airport . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Gambia </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 90 days; must obtain an entry clearance from the Gambian Immigration prior to travel </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Georgia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> eVisa available for holders of a valid Schengen visa or a valid visa from any of the OECD member countries; or a valid residence permit of a Schengen or OECD country or holders of visas or residence permits of other GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries can travel to Georgia visa - free for a period of 90 days . They get an entry stamp to Georgia upon arrival . However, it must be noted that the GCC resident permit should be at least 6 - month old for Georgia visa exemption . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Germany </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ghana </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Greece </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Grenada </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 3 months </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guatemala </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guinea </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guinea - Bissau </Td> <Td> eVisa / Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 90 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Guyana </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Haiti </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 90 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Honduras </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hungary </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Iceland </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> India </Td> <Td> e-Visa </Td> <Td> 60 days; e-Visa holders must arrive via 24 designated airports or 3 designated seaports . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Indonesia </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Iran </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Iraq </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ireland </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa is issued free of charge . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Israel </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Italy </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jamaica </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Japan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jordan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kazakhstan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kenya </Td> <Td> eVisa / Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 3 months </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kiribati </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> North Korea </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Korea </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Maximum touristic stay of 30 days if holding a valid visa or e-visa from Schengen states, Ireland, USA, UK, New Zealand, Australia, Canada or Cyprus, and travelling to or from those countries . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kuwait </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> GCC residents can apply for e-Visa if they have residency in one of the GCC countries (Saudi Arabia - Bahrain - Qatar - United Arab Emirates - Oman) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kyrgyzstan </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Laos </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Latvia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lebanon </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> In addition to a visa, an approval should be obtained from the Immigration department of the General Directorate of General Security (La Surete Generale). </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lesotho </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 90 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Liberia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Libya </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Liechtenstein </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lithuania </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Luxembourg </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Macedonia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Multiple - entry Schengen visa covers entry for a maximum of 15 days, and at least 5 more than the stay . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Madagascar </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 90 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Malawi </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Malaysia </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> May apply online . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Maldives </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mali </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Malta </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa Free for only diplomatic passport holders </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Marshall Islands </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mauritania </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> Available at Nouakchott--Oumtounsy International Airport . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mauritius </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 60 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mexico </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Holders of a valid visa for Canada, Japan, USA, UK or a Schengen member state may stay for a maximum of 180 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Micronesia </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Moldova </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> May apply online . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Monaco </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mongolia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Montenegro </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Multiple - entry Schengen visa covers entry for a maximum of 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Morocco </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Mozambique </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Myanmar </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> 28 days . eVisa holders must arrive via Yangon International Airport . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Namibia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nauru </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nepal </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 90 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Netherlands </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> New Zealand and territories </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nicaragua </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Niger </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nigeria </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Norway </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Oman </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Foreigners residing in GCC countries may obtain a visa on arrival in Oman . Entry visas are issued to residents of any GCC country who arrive directly from any GCC county . Restrictions apply to non-degree related professions (e.g. labourers, carpenters). Entry visas are also granted to members of the resident's family as long as they enter together . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Pakistan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival when travelling on business valid for 30 days . Conditions apply . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Palau </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Panama </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Papua New Guinea </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Paraguay </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Peru </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Philippines </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> 30 Days Visa - Free for Diplomatic & Official passport holders </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Poland </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Portugal </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Qatar </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Romania </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Multiple - entry Schengen visa covers entry </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Russia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> 30 Days Visa - Free for Diplomatic & Official passport holders </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rwanda </Td> <Td> eVisa / Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Saint Kitts and Nevis </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Saint Lucia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Saint Vincent and the Grenadines </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 1 month </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Samoa </Td> <Td> Entry Permit on arrival </Td> <Td> 60 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> San Marino </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> São Tomé and Príncipe </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> Visa is obtained online . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Saudi Arabia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Senegal </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Serbia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Visa free for a maximum stay of 90 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union member states and the United States . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Seychelles </Td> <Td> Visitor's Permit on arrival </Td> <Td> 3 months </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sierra Leone </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Singapore </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Slovakia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Slovenia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Solomon Islands </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Somalia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> 30 days visa on arrival, provided an invitation letter issued by the sponsor has been submitted to the Airport Immigration Department at least 2 days before arrival . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Africa </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> South Sudan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Spain </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sudan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Suriname </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Swaziland </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sweden </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Switzerland </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Syria </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tajikistan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tanzania </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Thailand </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Timor - Leste </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Togo </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 7 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tonga </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Trinidad and Tobago </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tunisia </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Turkey </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Conditional E-Visa . Maximum stay of 30 days for valid visa holders or residents of the European Union member states and the United States . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Turkmenistan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tuvalu </Td> <Td> Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 1 month </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Uganda </Td> <Td> eVisa / Visa on arrival </Td> <Td> 3 months . May apply online . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ukraine </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United Arab Emirates </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United Kingdom excluding some Overseas territories </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> United States and territories </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Uruguay </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Uzbekistan </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Vanuatu </Td> <Td> Visa not required </Td> <Td> 30 days </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Vatican City </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Venezuela </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Vietnam </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> Prearranged visa obtained online through travel agencies available at Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City or Da Nang airports . Phú Quốc without a visa for up to 30 days . </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Yemen </Td> <Td> Visa required </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Zambia </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Zimbabwe </Td> <Td> eVisa </Td> <Td> </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Country </Th> <Th> Visa requirement </Th> <Th> Notes (excluding departure fees) </Th> </Tr>

Countries you can travel with sri lankan passport
find me the text answering this question