Sri Lanka’s cabinet has approved the issuance of free tourist visas for visitors from 35 countries, including China, India, and Russia. This decision, announced on Thursday, aims to boost tourism and revive the country’s struggling economy.

Under the new policy, tourists will receive 30-day visas as part of a six-month pilot program starting October 1. Cabinet spokesman and Transport Minister Bandula Gunawardana explained that the goal is to transform Sri Lanka into a visa-free destination, similar to Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, to leverage the growing tourism industry.

The list of eligible countries includes India, China, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Australia, Denmark, Poland, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Nepal, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, and France.

Sri Lanka, known for its beaches, ancient temples, and tea, has faced significant challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic and a severe financial crisis in 2022 that led to widespread protests and shortages of essential goods. However, the tourism sector has begun to recover, with nearly 2 million arrivals by mid-August 2024, the highest since 2019. The country expects to close the year with around 2.3 million visitors.

India remains the largest source of tourists, with 246,922 arrivals, followed by the UK with 123,992. Sri Lanka earned $1.5 billion from tourism in the first half of 2024, a notable increase from $875 million during the same period last year.