The Sri Lankan government has announced that the $50 visa fee for a 30-day visit will remain unchanged, reversing a previous decision to double the fee to $100. Visitors from India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia will continue receiving free tourist visas. This policy reversal, announced by the President’s Office on May 6, followed backlash from local tourism stakeholders and issues at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Tourism Minister Harin Fernando opposed the additional charges imposed by VFS Global, a private company managing visa processing, and highlighted operational challenges. The cabinet reverted to the original visa fee structure, reinstating the Department of Immigration and Emigration as the sole visa facilitator.
