Sri Lanka’s Minister of Tourism and Lands, Sports, and Youth Affairs, Harin Fernando, is hopeful for an extension of visa-free travel for seven nationalities beyond the current deadline of 31 March. Citizens from China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan can presently visit Sri Lanka without a visa until 31 March 2024, thanks to an immigration bureau concession. Launched on 24 October 2023, this initiative aims to bolster the tourism industry. Travellers can stay for up to 30 days with the option of a double entry, provided they obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online before their journey. The extension of this visa-free arrangement could further enhance tourism and bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and these countries.
