The Sri Lankan government has introduced a new policy that will allow citizens from 35 different countries to visit Sri Lanka without needing a visa. This policy will begin on October 1, 2024, and is designed to boost tourism and improve Sri Lanka’s relationships with other countries.

Key Objectives

1. Increase in Tourists: The main goal is to attract more visitors from various countries.
2. Simplified Travel: By removing the need for a visa, the policy makes it easier for people to travel to Sri Lanka.
3. Economic Boost: Bringing in more tourists is expected to help improve Sri Lanka’s economy, as tourism is an important source of income for the country.

Details of the Policy

• Duration: Citizens from these 35 countries can visit Sri Lanka without a visa for the next six months.
• Eligible Countries: The policy applies to visitors from countries such as India, the UK, China, the US, 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.

Addressing Past Issues

Previously, there were problems with high fees for on-arrival visas, which were handled by a foreign company. This new policy is intended to address those issues and make Sri Lanka a more attractive destination for tourists.

Current Visitor Policies

Before this new policy, several countries like India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia already had free tourist visas to Sri Lanka. This set the stage for extending the visa-free policy to more countries. The government expects that this new policy will significantly boost tourism in Sri Lanka by making it easier for people from key countries to visit, which in turn will help grow the economy.

Facts About Sri Lanka

• Location and Culture: Sri Lanka is an island nation in South Asia with a rich cultural history and unique traditions.
• Oldest Tree: It is home to the Sri Maha Bodhi, the world’s oldest known tree, which is over 2,300 years old.
• Famous Practices: The country is known for Stilt Fishing, a traditional fishing method.
• Ceylon Tea: Sri Lanka is famous for Ceylon tea, a legacy of the British colonial period.
• UNESCO Sites: The country has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the iconic Sigiriya rock fortress.
• Wildlife: Sri Lanka is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including the leopard, which is a national symbol, and several species unique to the island.
• Languages: The main languages spoken in Sri Lanka are Sinhalese, Tamil, and English.