Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-08-21 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Expert Committee Report on the issuance of Tourists Visas Free-of-Charge

- Approval has been granted at the Cabinet meeting held on 2024‑04‑25 to appoint an Expert Committee to examine matters on the methodology adopted by other countries pertaining to the issuance of tourist visas free-of-charge and submit a Report with recommendations. The Expert Committee appointed accordingly, has submitted a comprehensive Report, having examined matters on 08 countries competing with Sri Lanka in the tourism sector and the Hon. President brought the said Report to the notice of the Cabinet. Accordingly, the approval of the Cabinet has been granted to implement the recommendations of the said Expert Committee and to issue visas free-of-charge for identified maximum 35 countries to be validated for 30 days, for a period of 06 months commencing from 2024‑10‑01 based on the said recommendations, was approved by the Cabinet.