Sri Lanka is to issue free tourist visas from 1 October to visitors from 35 countries, including the UK.
Tourists will be able to visit Sri Lanka for 30 days on a free visa under a six-month pilot programme in an effort to boost tourism.
According to Visasnews.com, Sri Lanka initially announced it would introduce a ‘visa-free policy’, however, the Cabinet of Ministers issued a statement later yesterday to confirm visas would still be required, but they would be free for 30 days during the pilot period.
Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana said: “The aim of the government is to transform Sri Lanka into a free visa country, much like Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam to tap into the benefits of a rapidly growing tourism industry,” Reuters reports.
The move has been welcomed by Experience Travel Group, which called it a ‘game changing blueprint for Sri Lanka’s future’.
CEO Sam Clark said: “This is great news for Sri Lanka and even better news for British travellers.
“It offers travellers around the world a great chance to see all the country has to offer, and it’s a huge opportunity for British ministers to negotiate a permanent visa-free arrangement.
“Sri Lanka is not just a safe country. It is a jewel in South Asia’s crown and our government should do everything it can to help British people visit.”
Last week, Sri Lanka suspended online visa applications for British tourists.
