Sri Lanka is speeding up plans to introduce free visas for visitors from up to 40 countries as the island nation looks to correct a slowdown in tourist arrivals linked to ongoing Middle East tensions and disrupted air travel.
Foreign Affairs and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed the free electronic travel authorization (ETA) scheme is set to be finalized and submitted to Cabinet, with parliamentary approval targeted this month, travel news hub Travel Mole reported.
The move comes as Sri Lanka grapples with a dip in inbound travel.
Authorities report a 15% decline in arrivals, which they link with regional instability, which has impacted flight routes, increased airfares, and triggered cancellations - particularly on Europe-Asia corridors.
Between March 1 and 25, Sri Lanka welcomed 151,693 visitors, down 22% year-on-year.
Average daily arrivals fell to 6,068, compared to 7,407 during the same period in 2025.
Seven countries - including China, India, Japan, and Russia - already benefit from free ETA access.
The new proposal would extend the waiver to an additional 33 countries, including major European markets, the United States, Australia, and Gulf states.
Image: Aleksei Popov, Scop.io
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