According to recent reports, beginning October 1, 2024, Sri Lanka will offer visa-free entry to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

This six-month initiative, sanctioned by the Sri Lankan Government, aims to boost tourism and strengthen international relations. The move is anticipated to make travel to Sri Lanka more accessible and appealing, particularly for Indian tourists, who have traditionally been the island’s largest group of international visitors.

According to reports, visa-free access will be extended to travelers from a wide range of countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, and many others. This initiative builds on a pilot project launched in October 2023, which offered free visas to citizens from seven countries, including India and China. The success of this pilot likely played a key role in the government’s decision to expand the program to additional nations.

This policy holds particular significance for Indian travelers, as India has consistently been Sri Lanka’s leading source of inbound tourism. In 2023, Indian tourists made up 20% of all international arrivals in Sri Lanka, with over 246,000 visitors. The new visa-free policy is expected to boost these numbers further, making it even more convenient for Indians to explore the country.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has encountered several challenges in recent years, notably the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which led to a sharp decline in tourist arrivals. Despite this, the sector has been steadily recovering, with tourism earnings reaching $1.5 billion in the first half of 2024, a significant increase from $875 million during the same period the previous year. The introduction of visa-free travel for citizens of 35 countries is viewed as a strategic effort to revitalize the tourism industry and draw more international visitors.

India’s significance to Sri Lanka’s tourism industry is undeniable. In recent years, the Sri Lankan Government has actively worked to attract more Indian tourists. In 2023, visa fees for Indian travelers were waived as part of a special initiative, and tourism roadshows were conducted in several Indian cities to promote Sri Lanka as a premier travel destination. The new visa-free policy continues these efforts, providing Indian travelers with an even more convenient and cost-effective way to visit the island.

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