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In a bid to revitalize its tourism sector and stimulate the economy, Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved a plan to issue free tourist visas to visitors from 35 countries, including China, India, and Russia. The initiative, announced by Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana, will begin on October 1 under a six-month pilot program, offering 30-day visas to eligible tourists.
Gunawardana explained that the government aims to position Sri Lanka as a “free visa” destination similar to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, capitalizing on the potential of a rapidly expanding global tourism industry. The extensive list of countries eligible for the free visas includes major tourism markets such as India, China, the UK, Germany, and Australia, among others.
Sri Lanka, known for its stunning beaches, historic temples, and world-renowned tea, has faced significant challenges in recent years. The COVID-19 pandemic and a severe financial crisis in 2022, which led to widespread protests and shortages of essential goods like fuel, severely impacted the country’s tourism industry. However, the sector has been on the mend since last year, with nearly 2 million tourist arrivals recorded by mid-August 2024—a milestone not seen since 2019. The country is projected to reach 2.3 million arrivals by the end of the year.
India remains the largest source of tourists, contributing 246,922 arrivals, followed by the UK with 123,992, according to the latest data from the Sri Lanka Development Authority. The tourism industry generated $1.5 billion in revenue during the first half of 2024, a significant increase from the $875 million earned during the same period in the previous year, according to the central bank.
| GDP (nominal) | Capital | Head of State | Head of Government | GDP (nominal) per capita | GDP (PPP) | GDP (PPP) | GDP (PPP) per capita |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sri Lanka | Colombo | Ranil Wickremesinghe | Dinesh Gunawardena | 74404 | 3.342 | 319.523 | 14.267 |
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