The Sri Lankan government has announced a significant boost to its tourism industry by offering visa-free entry to citizens from 35 countries, including major tourist markets like India, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This policy will be implemented starting from October 1, 2024, and will remain in effect for six months.

The decision, made by the Cabinet and announced by Tourism Adviser Harin Fernando, aims to attract more international visitors to the island nation. The list of countries eligible for visa-free travel includes China, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and New Zealand.

This move comes after recent controversy surrounding increased fees for on-arrival visas, which were being handled by a foreign company. The government’s decision to offer free tourist visas to visitors from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia is a positive step towards promoting tourism and economic growth.