The Sri Lankan government is poised to extend the visa-free privileges it has granted to visitors from seven countries to boost tourism.
Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has confirmed that the trial program, which allows individuals from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand to enter Sri Lanka without a visa, will be prolonged until April 30th.
This means that travellers from these nations can continue enjoying visa-free entry to Sri Lanka for longer. A final decision on the matter is expected soon.
This initiative was launched in October 2023 and was initially scheduled to conclude by March 31, 2024, to attract more tourists and strengthen ties with these countries. Under this scheme, tourists are granted a 30-day visa period, and they can enter Sri Lanka twice within 30 days from their initial arrival.
Additionally, Sri Lanka is discussing visa-free travel with Thailand, aiming to enhance economic connections following a free trade agreement.
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The visa-free regime for various countries has proven beneficial for Sri Lanka. For instance, in the first three months of 2024, the country welcomed over 600,000 tourists, a figure close to its pre-pandemic levels in 2018. According to the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, over 200,000 tourists arrived in March alone, with India, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany being the top sources of visitors.
Sri Lanka aims to host 2.3 million visitors in 2024, following the reception of 1.48 million in 2023. The country aspires to increase these numbers to 5 million in the coming years.
This surge in tourism is a positive indicator for the country’s economy, signalling its recovery from the impacts of the pandemic and economic downturn.
