Sri Lanka publicizes visa-free entry for India, six varied international locations to enhance tourism

Sri Lanka has announced visa-free entry for Indian tourists below a pilot project that has begun with rapid cease until March 21, 2024.

Except for India, six varied international locations were added in the checklist. They’re: China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia and Thailand.

The country’s foreign affairs minister Ali Sabry made the announcement on Tuesday (Oct 24) on social media platform X.

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“Cabinet approves issuing of free visas to India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia & Thailand with rapid cease as a pilot project till 31 March,” he mentioned.

The jog comes five days after a proposal became once made on this regard all over a Cabinet assembly final week to present free tourist visas to foreigners from five international locations who intend to seek suggestion from Sri Lanka as tourists.

Lanka’s economy closely depends on tourism

Sri Lanka’s economy closely depends on inbound tourism, with India accounting for nearly all of tourist arrivals.

The jog is anticipated to present a predominant enhance for the crisis-hit island which has been combating persisting high inflation, unemployment and deteriorating economy submit the Covid pandemic.

The jog is geared against attracting extra tourists to the island nation. “We are looking at for to broaden tourist arrivals to five million over the approaching years,” the ministry became once quoted as announcing in Sri Lankan media shops.

Nation seeks a turnaround

In September, India led with extra than 30,000 arrivals, comprising 26 per cent of the general, while Chinese language tourists adopted as the second-largest neighborhood with over 8,000 arrivals, experiences PTI news agency citing legitimate figures.

Except for that, the Cabinet also proposed an e-ticketing machine for hundreds of of the tourist sites in Sri Lanka in the attain future.

The proposed free visas and e-ticketing machine will attach cash and time spent on acquiring visas, the commentary be taught.

The attain also comes a month after Ali Sabry in an peculiar interview with ANI news agency mentioned that Sri Lanka is taking a glimpse at forging a smarter relationship with India while including they strive for electricity, renewable vitality, tourism and port transport connectivity.

(With inputs from companies)