Sri Lanka will soon start offering visa-free entry to Indian tourists in a bid to boost tourism in the country. Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe has appointed a task force to study the possibility of granting visa-free entry to tourists from friendly countries such as India and China.
Sri Lanka’s Tourism Minister, John Amaratunga, said that India and China as well as some other European and West Asian countries could benefit from visa-free entry. He also mentioned that following the recommendations of the force, the proposal can be implemented in the off-season months of October to November and March to April.
All tourists visiting Sri Lanka must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) prior to their arrival. Citizens of Singapore, Seychelles and Maldives are exempt from ETA and can obtain visa on arrival free of charge.
Till a decade ago, the country’s tourism had to face difficult times due to the civil war with the LTTE. However, over the years Sri Lanka has emerged as a popular tourist destination in Asia. In the first half of 2018, tourist arrivals recorded an increase of 15.3% compared to the same period in 2017. Sri Lanka visa for Indians is soon going to be a thing of the past. Already excited? You can create your customized Sri Lanka tour instantly!
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