Sri Lanka Grants Visa-Free Access to 35 Countries

August 22, 2024

The Sri Lankan government has introduced a new policy that allows citizens from 35 countries to visit Sri Lanka without needing a visa. This policy starts on October 1, 2024, and is part of Sri Lanka’s efforts to increase tourism and strengthen its relationships with other countries.

Key Objectives

Increase in Tourists: The main goal is to attract more tourists from different countries.

Simplified Travel: The policy makes it easier for people to travel to Sri Lanka by removing the need for a visa.

Economic Boost: By bringing in more tourists, Sri Lanka hopes to improve its economy, as tourism plays a big role in the country’s income.

Details of the Policy

Duration: People from these 35 countries can visit Sri Lanka without a visa for the next six months.

Eligible Countries: Countries on the list include India, the UK, China, the US, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, and Thailand. Other countries include Malaysia, Japan, France, Canada, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Israel, Belarus, Iran, Sweden, South Korea, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain and New Zealand.

Controversies Addressed

In the past, there were issues with high fees for on-arrival visas, which were managed by a foreign company. This new policy aims to address those concerns while making 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 enjoyed free tourist visas. This set a precedent for extending the visa-free policy to more countries. This new policy is expected to significantly boost Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. By making it easier for people from key markets to visit, the country hopes to see a surge in tourist arrivals, which will help grow the economy.

Facts About Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is an island country in South Asia with a rich history and unique traditions. It is home to the world’s oldest known tree, the Sri Maha Bodhi, which is over 2,300 years old. The island is famous for its Stilt Fishing. Sri Lanka is also known for Ceylon tea, which became famous during the British colonial period. The country has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the impressive Sigiriya rock fortress. Sri Lanka is home to many types of wildlife, with the leopard being a national symbol, and has several species that are found only there. The main languages spoken are Sinhalese, Tamil, and English.

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