ETA visa-free period for seven countries has been extended by Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's Tourism Minister Harin Fernando has announced the extension of the pilot programme allowing travellers from seven countries to enter the country without paying the ETA visa fee for another month for seven countries. Launched in November 2023 and originally scheduled to end on 31 March, the initiative, which aims to boost tourism and attract more visitors, now extends to 30 April 2024.

Some of the major tourism countries and markets that will be affected include India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, Thailand and India. Citizens of these countries must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) prior to arrival in Sri Lanka.

The main objective of waiving the visa fee for tourists from these countries is to increase the attractiveness of Sri Lanka as a tourist destination.As Sri Lanka continues to rebuild its tourism sector after the pandemic, initiatives such as the visa fee waiver are crucial to its revival. Sri Lanka's Tourism Ministry said the country welcomed nearly 210,000 tourists in 2024, a record high in the first three months of this year, indicating a gradual recovery in domestic tourism.

The Minister expressed optimism that with this initiative, the number of tourists will increase significantly and is expected to reach the five million mark in the coming years. Sri Lanka's tourism industry is showing promising signs of recovery and growth, attracting many tourists eager to explore the rich cultural heritage and natural beauty of the island.