Sri Lanka Offers Visa-Free Travel for 35 Countries

Sri Lanka has announced visa-free travel for tourists from 35 countries, including major markets like China, India, Russia, the UK, and the US, starting October 1, 2024. This six-month pilot program aims to rejuvenate the tourism sector and revive the economy, heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and a severe financial crisis. Cabinet spokesman Bandula Gunawardana and Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism Harin Fernando highlighted the initiative's goal to position Sri Lanka alongside other visa-free travel destinations like Singapore and Thailand. The program targets both traditional and emerging tourist markets, with India currently being the largest source of tourists to Sri Lanka. The government will assess the program's effectiveness in boosting tourism and economic recovery during this period.