Sri Lanka to offer visa-free entry to citizens of 35 countries, including India, from Oct 1

As per the latest news reports, starting October 1, 2024, Sri Lanka will grant visa-free entry to citizens from 35 countries, including India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

This six-month initiative, approved by the Sri Lankan Government, is aimed at boosting tourism and strengthening international ties. The move is expected to make travel to Sri Lanka more accessible and attractive, especially for Indian tourists, who have historically been the largest group of international visitors to the island.

If reports are to go by, the visa-free access will be available to travellers from a diverse list of countries, including Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, and several others. This initiative follows a pilot project launched in October 2023, which provided free visas to citizens from seven countries, including India and China. The success of this pilot likely influenced the government’s decision to expand the program to more nations.

For Indian travellers, this policy is particularly significant. India has consistently been Sri Lanka’s top source of inbound tourism. In 2023, Indian tourists accounted for 20% of all international arrivals in Sri Lanka, with over 246,000 visitors. The new visa-free policy is expected to further increase these numbers, making it even easier for Indians to want to explore the country.

Sri Lanka’s tourism industry has faced numerous challenges in recent years, including the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings, which caused a significant drop in tourist arrivals. However, the sector has been gradually recovering, with tourism earnings reaching $1.5 billion in the first half of 2024, up from $875 million during the same period the previous year. The introduction of visa-free travel for 35 countries is seen as a strategic move to revitalise the tourism sector and attract more international visitors.

India’s importance to Sri Lanka’s tourism cannot be overstated. In recent years, the Sri Lankan Government has made concerted efforts to attract more Indian tourists. In 2023, visa fees for Indian travellers were waived as part of a special initiative, and tourism roadshows were held in various Indian cities to promote Sri Lanka as a top travel destination. This new visa-free policy is a continuation of these efforts, offering Indian travellers an even more convenient and cost-effective way to visit the island.

Originally Published at TIMESOFINDIA