Free on-arrival visas for 45 nationalities

Colombo (News 1st): Cabinet approval has been given to grant a free on-arrival visa for tourists, and have expanded the program from 39 countries to 45 in an attempt to recover faster from the April 21 attacks. The cabinet had earlier given the approval to start the free on-arrival visa on May 01, but the program was halted due to security concerns after the April 21 attacks.

New countries have also been added to the list in a new cabinet memorandum presented by Minister of Tourism Development, Wildlife and Christian Religious Affairs, John Amaratunga. The government is planning to launch an Rs. 1 billion public relations and promotions campaign and has also taken steps to reduce taxes and fees at the airport to allow reduction of airfares to Sri Lanka.

The countries are;

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Bulgaria

Cambodia

Canada

China

Croatia

Cyprus

Czech Republic

Denmark

Estonia

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Hungary

Iceland

India

Ireland

Italy

Japan

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Malta

Malaysia

Netherlands

Norway

New Zealand

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

Singapore

Slovak Republic

Slovenia

South Korea

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Thailand

United Kingdom

United States of America

Source: www.newsfirst.lk