Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has identified visa-free entry as a major challenge in meeting Sri Lanka’s tourism goals. He noted that neighboring countries offering visa-free access to travelers present significant competition.
“All our regional competitors are providing free visas for visitors, which makes it challenging to meet our target numbers,” Fernando said.
Despite these challenges, Fernando expressed hope that President Ranil Wickremesinghe will make a favorable decision regarding visa-free entry to Sri Lanka. He mentioned that a committee, including industry representatives, has finalized a report on the matter, which is expected to be presented to the Cabinet either today or next week.
Fernando highlighted the potential economic impact of introducing visa-free entry, estimating that it could generate an additional $184.1 million if arrivals from just seven key countries increase. He emphasized that high visa costs and complicated application procedures are significant deterrents for potential tourists.
“Our goal is to make travel as convenient as possible—so that a simple flight can bring visitors to Sri Lanka for a quick holiday,” he explained.
A Cabinet proposal, co-authored by Fernando and Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry PC, suggests extending visa-free entry to citizens of 67 countries. This proposal is still under review.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Sri Lanka had implemented visa-free entry for 48 countries from August 1, 2019, including Austria, Belgium, the US, and Japan. Fernando hopes that reinstating and expanding this policy will significantly enhance tourist arrivals and aid in the country’s economic recovery.