Sri Lanka introduces free tourist visas in bid to attract global visitors

To enhance tourism, a free visa programme set to begin from October for visitors from 35 countries

COLOMBO, SRI LANKA:

Sri Lanka's cabinet has approved a plan on Thursday to offer free tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries, including China, India, and Russia, in an effort to boost tourism and revive the nation's economy.

This initiative is part of a six-month pilot programme starting on October 1, which will grant 30-day visas to eligible tourists, according to Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana.

Gunawardana stated that the government aims to make Sri Lanka a visa-free destination, similar to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, to capitalise on the growing global tourism industry. The list of eligible countries features India, China, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and France.

Sri Lanka, a country of 22 million known for its beaches, ancient temples, and tea, faced severe challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a financial crisis in 2022, which led to widespread protests and shortages of essential goods. However, the tourism sector has been recovering, with nearly 2 million arrivals recorded by mid-August this year, marking the first time since 2019 that such numbers have been achieved. The island expects to reach 2.3 million arrivals by the end of the year.

India is currently the largest source of tourists, with 246,922 arrivals, followed by the UK with 123,992. The tourism sector earned $1.5 billion in the first half of 2024, a significant increase from $875 million during the same period last year, as reported by the central bank.