Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath announced plans to offer free visas to citizens of 39 countries. A Cabinet paper will soon formalize the initiative and present it to Parliament.
The program was first approved on 21 August 2024 for six months, starting 1 October 2024. It builds on a previous policy from November 2023 that offered free visas to seven countries, including China, India, and Russia. This earlier program was later extended indefinitely.
Minister Herath explained that the delayed launch was due to adjustments and the lack of an active Parliament at the time.
Tourism experts support the decision, saying it will simplify travel and encourage tourists to spend more on accommodation, activities, and experiences. The earlier policy showed strong results, and expanding it to more countries could increase these benefits.
The original list of 35 countries includes India, China, the UK, Germany, and Australia. The new additions bring the total to 39.
Sri Lanka welcomed 153,761 tourists in the first 19 days of 2025, a 20.2% rise from the same period in 2024. Daily arrivals averaged 8,093. India, Russia, and the UK were the top markets.
The goal for 2025 is to attract three million tourists and earn $5 billion. This strategy supports Sri Lanka’s larger target of five million visitors by 2030 while addressing security concerns.
