
The Sri Lankan government has announced a new visa policy that will grant visa-free access to citizens from 35 countries, including India, beginning October 31. The decision, aimed at boosting tourism, was approved by the Cabinet and marks a significant step in Sri Lanka’s efforts to attract more visitors to the island nation.
Harin Fernando, Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism, emphasized that the new policy is designed to encourage tourism and simplify travel procedures for international visitors. The list of countries benefiting from the visa-free access includes major economies such as China, Germany, Australia, Japan, France, and Canada, in addition to several West Asian nations like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar.
This policy follows a controversial period during which increased fees for on-arrival visas, managed by a foreign company, drew criticism. Last year, Sri Lanka introduced a pilot project offering free visas to travelers from select countries including India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand. The success of this project, which allowed dual entry status and a 30-day stay, led to its expansion to a broader list of countries.
In September 2023, India was Sri Lanka’s largest source of inbound tourists, with over 30,000 arrivals, representing 26% of the total. The new visa policy reflects the strong tourism ties between the two nations. Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry acknowledged the importance of the relationship with India, calling it a cornerstone of Sri Lankan foreign policy. MP V Radhakrishnan also underscored the significance of Indian tourists, noting that they constitute 60% of all visitors to Sri Lanka.
The implementation of visa-free access is expected to further strengthen the tourism sector and enhance the bilateral relationship between Sri Lanka and India.
Sources By Agencies