Cabinet approval has been granted to issue free tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries in an effort to boost the country’s tourism industry.
Accordingly, tourists will be given 30-day visas under a six-month pilot programme that will start from October 1, Cabinet Spokesman and Transport, Highways and Mass Media Minister Dr. Bandula Gunawardhana said.
He was speaking at the weekly Cabinet media briefing held yesterday at the Government Information Department.
The Minister further said that the aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry.
This decision follows a detailed study conducted by a specialist committee appointed by the Cabinet on April 25, 2024, to explore strategies used by other countries in issuing tourist visas without charges. The committee analysed the practices of eight countries that are competing with Sri Lanka in the tourism sector and submitted their findings to the President and he presented the report to the Cabinet of Ministers.
Based on the committee’s recommendations, Cabinet has decided to implement the visa waiver programme, allowing tourists from the selected countries to stay in Sri Lanka for up to 30 days without paying visa fees.
The post Free 30-day tourist visas for 35 countries from October 1 appeared first on DailyNews.