Sri Lanka Grants Visa-Free Entry to 35 Nations for Six Months
The Sri Lankan government has granted six months of visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries. This decision, effective from October 1, 2024, aims to boost tourism and includes nations like India, the US, and the UK. Previously, there was controversy over increased visa fees.
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The Sri Lankan government has announced six months of visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the UK, and the US, according to media reports on Wednesday.
The Cabinet's decision, effective from October 1, 2024, was reported by the Daily Mirror quoting Harin Fernando, Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism. This policy will last six months, Fernando noted.
Included countries are India, the UK, China, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand.
Other nations are Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and New Zealand.
Controversy previously arose over increased fees for on-arrival visas managed by a foreign company. Tourists from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia currently receive free tourist visas.
(With inputs from agencies.)