The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) has clarified that the recently approved free visa program for seven countries will only take effect after the Department of Immigration and Emigration publishes a gazette regarding the matter.
Despite the initial Cabinet announcement that visas would be immediately granted free of charge to citizens of India, Russia, China, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand, the actual implementation is expected to occur in the upcoming week, likely starting on November 7.
This free visa scheme for the seven countries will remain in effect until March 31, 2024.
SLTDA Chairman Priantha Fernando addressed the issue, explaining that the original proposal only included three countries: India, Russia, and China, as they are the primary sources of tourist traffic for Sri Lanka. He expressed uncertainty about the inclusion of markets such as Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and Indonesia.
Fernando noted, "The proposal from the SLTDA and the Tourism Ministry was to offer free visas for India, China, and Russia. The decision was made after analyzing what appeals to those markets, and this is where the majority of arrivals are from. We are unsure how others were added to the list." The final list was compiled by a committee led by the Prime Minister's office, and there were no consultations with the SLTDA before its announcement.
For the first nine months of this year, ending on September 30, India contributed 19.7% to the total tourist arrivals, with Russia accounting for 13% and China for 4.6%.
