Sri Lanka to Waive Visa Fees for 40 More Countries to Boost Tourism | Sri Lankan Post News

Colombo, July 25 (Daily Mirror) — In a significant move aimed at revitalizing Sri Lanka’s tourism industry, the government has decided to waive visa fees for an additional 40 countries, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath announced today.

The announcement was made during the opening ceremony of Hotel Show Colombo 2025, held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH) in Colombo. The event took place under the patronage of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.

The new visa policy builds on a previous initiative that removed visa fees for visitors from seven key countries, including the United Kingdom. According to Minister Herath, the latest expansion is expected to significantly increase tourist arrivals, further positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive and accessible destination.

While the move may lead to an estimated annual revenue loss of around USD 66 million, the Minister expressed confidence that the growth in tourism-related earnings would more than compensate for the shortfall.

“The long-term benefits of a thriving tourism sector far outweigh the short-term revenue dip,” he said, highlighting the government’s commitment to making Sri Lanka more welcoming to international travelers.

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