Sri Lanka’s government has approved a plan to issue free 30-day tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries, including China, India, and Russia, starting October 1, 2024. The initiative, part of a six-month pilot program, aims to revitalize the country’s tourism industry and support its recovering economy.
Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana stated that the goal is to position Sri Lanka as a “free visa country” similar to popular tourist destinations like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The program includes tourists from countries such as the UK, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Japan, and Australia.
Sri Lanka, known for its beaches, temples, and tea, has seen a steady recovery in tourism after being severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a financial crisis in 2022. By mid-August 2024, the island nation had welcomed nearly two million visitors, with expectations to reach 2.3 million by year-end.
India remains the top source of tourists, with over 246,000 arrivals, followed by the UK with nearly 124,000. The country earned $1.5 billion from tourism in the first half of 2024, a significant increase from the $875 million earned during the same period last year.