The announcement was made in Parliament by Minister Ananda Wijepala, who said the decision follows a joint cabinet proposal by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Public Security. He noted that the policy has been introduced under amendments to the Immigrants and Emigrants framework to make travel to Sri Lanka easier and more attractive for international visitors.
According to the government, the initiative is expected to significantly increase tourist arrivals and generate substantial foreign revenue. Authorities estimate that while Sri Lanka may forgo around US$ 75 million in visa fee income, the country could gain approximately US$ 242 million in overall economic benefits through airport taxes, hospitality services, and domestic spending by tourists.
The new visa scheme applies to travelers from 40 countries, including major source markets such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, India, China, Russia, and several Middle Eastern nations. Visitors will be granted a 30-day stay without paying visa fees, although an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) will still be required prior to arrival for security screening purposes.
Officials stated that the program builds on a previous pilot initiative that covered a smaller group of countries. The expanded policy will initially run for one year and will be reviewed after six months to assess its impact on tourism growth, revenue generation, and national security considerations.
The government has set an ambitious target of attracting around 2.7 million tourists under the revised visa arrangement, with expectations of a 10% to 20% increase in arrivals. Authorities believe the relaxed entry requirements will help position Sri Lanka as a more competitive destination in the regional tourism market.
Minister Wijepala assured Parliament that despite the removal of visa fees, all existing immigration and security screening procedures will remain in place to ensure border safety and regulatory compliance.
