Sri Lanka's New Visa Policy to Spur Tourism

Sri Lanka will issue free 30-day tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries, including China, India, and Russia, as part of a pilot program starting October 1. This initiative aims to boost tourism and revitalize the economy, targeting 2.3 million arrivals by year's end.

Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved the issuance of free 30-day tourist visas for visitors from 35 countries, including China, India, and Russia, in a bid to boost tourism and revitalize the nation's crisis-hit economy.

The initiative, explained by Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana, will commence on October 1 as a six-month pilot program. 'The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry,' Gunawardana elaborated during a weekly cabinet briefing.

The list of participating countries also includes the UK, Germany, Australia, and several others. Despite setbacks from a financial crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka's tourism sector has shown signs of recovery, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded by mid-August. The country is aiming for 2.3 million arrivals by the end of the year. India leads as the largest source of tourists at 246,922 arrivals, followed by the UK with 123,992. Sri Lanka's tourism earnings reached $1.5 billion in the first half of 2023, a significant increase from $875 million during the same period last year, according to the central bank.

(With inputs from agencies.)