Sri Lanka Approves Visa-Free Entry For Visitors From India, China And 5 Other Countries

(MENAFN- AsiaNet News) The Sri Lankan Cabinet has granted a proposal aimed at offering free visas to travelers from seven countries, including China, Russia, India, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and Indonesia. This initiative is set to take immediate effect as a pilot project and will run until March 31.

Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ali Sabry, announced this significant move, stating, "Cabinet approves issuing of free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia & Thailand with immediate effect as a pilot project till 31 March."

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The Ministry of Tourism in Sri Lanka had previously revealed that a Cabinet paper had been presented during a recent Cabinet meeting, outlining the issuance of free tourist visas to foreigners from five countries intending to visit Sri Lanka for tourism purposes.

According to India Outbound, tourism officials anticipate that providing free visas will significantly boost tourist arrivals in the coming years, potentially reaching five million visitors. India stands as the largest source market for Sri Lanka, and the country has been a primary focus of the tourism ministry's marketing and communication strategy, with various roadshows and events conducted in India.

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Another promising source of increased tourist arrivals is China, as Sri Lanka is one of the 20 countries where Chinese tourists have been permitted to visit. To further enhance the tourism experience, the Sri Lankan government is actively exploring the introduction of an e-ticketing system for most tourist sites across the country. These collective efforts aim to bolster Sri Lanka's tourism sector and facilitate smoother travel experiences for visitors from around the world.

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