Colombo (Agencies): In a significant move to boost tourism, the Sri Lankan government has announced visa-free access for citizens from 35 countries, effective from October 1, 2024.
This policy will be in place for six months, as confirmed by Harin Fernando, Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism.
“This policy will be in effect for six months,” Fernando stated, highlighting the government’s efforts to attract more tourists to the island nation.
The countries included in this visa-free initiative are:
- India
- United Kingdom
- United States
- China
- Germany
- Netherlands
- Belgium
- Spain
- Australia
- Denmark
- Poland
- Kazakhstan
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Nepal
- Indonesia
- Russia
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Japan
- France
- Canada
- Czech Republic
- Italy
- Switzerland
- Austria
- Israel
- Belarus
- Iran
- Sweden
- South Korea
- Qatar
- Oman
- Bahrain
- New Zealand
Previously, there was controversy over increased fees for on-arrival visas, which were managed by a foreign company. However, visitors from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia have been receiving tourist visas free of charge.
This initiative is expected to significantly enhance the influx of tourists, providing a much-needed boost to Sri Lanka’s tourism sector.