Sri Lanka's cabinet has greenlit the issuance of free tourist visas for visitors from 35 countries, including China, India, and Russia, according to a top official on Thursday. This move aims to bolster tourism and aid the recovery of the nation's economy, which has been battered by crises.
Under a six-month pilot program commencing October 1, tourists will receive 30-day visas, announced Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana. "The government's goal is to make Sri Lanka a visa-free destination, similar to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, to capitalize on the burgeoning tourism sector," Gunawardana informed reporters during a weekly cabinet briefing.
The comprehensive list of eligible countries includes 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. Known for its beaches, ancient temples, and aromatic tea, Sri Lanka's tourism industry suffered first from the Covid-19 pandemic and then a severe financial crisis in 2022, leading to widespread protests and shortages of essential goods like fuel.
However, the industry is now benefiting from a resurgence that started last year, with nearly two million tourist arrivals by mid-August, marking the first time since 2019. The island anticipates ending the year with 2.3 million arrivals. India leads in tourist arrivals with 246,922, followed by the UK with 123,992, according to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Development Authority. Sri Lanka's tourism revenue reached $1.5 billion in the first half of 2024, up from $875 million during the same period last year, as per the central bank.
