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
