Colombo, Aug 22 (UNI) The Sri Lankan Cabinet has decided to allow tourists from 35 countries, including India, visa free access into the island nation from October 1, 2024, a top official said.
‘Sri Lanka will open visa-free entry for tourists from 35 countries, including India, China and Russia, from October 1, 2024,’ Adviser to the Ministry of Tourism Harin Fernando said.
The countries to be extended the facility comprise most European Union members including Germany, and the Netherlands, besides Australia, Japan. Nepal, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Iran, several Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE and Israel, and South Korea.
The decision is part of Colombo’s efforts to ramp up the foreign tourist footfall as the country rebounds from an acute currency crisis.
It may be mentioned that in October last year, the Sri Lankan government had announced its intention not to charge visa fees for tourists from China, Russia, India, Thailand and Indonesia.
Fernando had then said the government aimed to get more tourists from these five countries to reach the goal of attracting five million tourists annually in the near future.
