Sri Lanka extends visa-free access for Indian tourists

To boost tourist arrivals, Sri Lanka has renewed visa-free entry for visitors from India and six other select countries, aiming to make travel more accessible and convenient for international tourists. The countries included in this initiative are India, China, Russia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia, allowing their nationals to visit Sri Lanka for up to 30 days without visa fees. The Sri Lankan government's decision comes as part of efforts to rebuild the tourism industry, which has faced significant challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the country's ongoing economic and political crises. The visa-free entry scheme, launched in October as a pilot project, reflects Sri Lanka's commitment to promoting tourism and creating seamless travel experiences for visitors from key markets. Although the visa-free entry allows visitors from the select countries to stay in Sri Lanka for 30 days, they are required to apply for their visa online through the website www.srilankaevisa.lk before their arrival. This online application process is designed to ensure smooth processing while maintaining security checks for incoming tourists.