The new Government of Sri Lanka is expected to rubber stamp an agreement next week to allow UK visitors to enter without a visa.
If it goes ahead, as is expected, the visa-free policy will apply to visitors from 1 December.
In August, Sri Lanka had said UK tourists would be able to visit Sri Lanka for 30 days on a free visa under a six-month pilot programme, effective from 1 October. Then, in early September, it said it would allow ‘visa-free’ entry to 38 nationalities, including Brits.
But in October, it reintroduced its visa requirement with immediate effect.
Newly appointed Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Buddhika Hewawasam said visa-free entry for British travellers and other nationalities was a ‘priority’ and is expected to be approved by the cabinet on 14 November.
A new Government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, came into power at the end of September, with a ‘new approach to tourism’, representatives from country told a press conference at World Travel Market in London.
High Commissioner to the UK Rohitha Bogollagama said the new President ‘has unleashed a new development for tourism’, adding: “A new chapter will unfold.”
Sri Lanka Tourism Director of Marketing Dushan Wickramasuriya said the UK remains Sri Lanka’s major European market, with Brits making up 10% of the country’s visitors.
He said: “Traditionally Sri Lanka has been a beach holiday but over the years we have seen that changing. Around 80% of British travellers are now doing ground tours and visiting cultural sites, such as the Kandy temple, and visiting wildlife. British travellers are looking for more than a standard tour.”
He said the new Government wants to ‘work with the community to create a tourism economy’.
Sri Lanka Airlines Regional Manager Europe Chinthaka Weerasinghe said the carrier is planning to increase flights between the UK and Sri Lanka to double daily in January 2026.
Currently, it operates nine flights a week from Heathrow to Colombo, with two flights a day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sri Lanka brought its biggest delegation of participants to WTM this year, with more than 100 co-exhibitors sharing its stand.
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If it goes ahead, as is expected, the visa-free policy will apply to visitors from 1 December.
In August, Sri Lanka had said UK tourists would be able to visit Sri Lanka for 30 days on a free visa under a six-month pilot programme, effective from 1 October. Then, in early September, it said it would allow ‘visa-free’ entry to 38 nationalities, including Brits.
But in October, it reintroduced its visa requirement with immediate effect.
Newly appointed Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Buddhika Hewawasam said visa-free entry for British travellers and other nationalities was a ‘priority’ and is expected to be approved by the cabinet on 14 November.
A new Government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, came into power at the end of September, with a ‘new approach to tourism’, representatives from country told a press conference at World Travel Market in London.
High Commissioner to the UK Rohitha Bogollagama said the new President ‘has unleashed a new development for tourism’, adding: “A new chapter will unfold.”
Sri Lanka Tourism Director of Marketing Dushan Wickramasuriya said the UK remains Sri Lanka’s major European market, with Brits making up 10% of the country’s visitors.
He said: “Traditionally Sri Lanka has been a beach holiday but over the years we have seen that changing. Around 80% of British travellers are now doing ground tours and visiting cultural sites, such as the Kandy temple, and visiting wildlife. British travellers are looking for more than a standard tour.”
He said the new Government wants to ‘work with the community to create a tourism economy’.
Sri Lanka Airlines Regional Manager Europe Chinthaka Weerasinghe said the carrier is planning to increase flights between the UK and Sri Lanka to double daily in January 2026.
Currently, it operates nine flights a week from Heathrow to Colombo, with two flights a day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Sri Lanka brought its biggest delegation of participants to WTM this year, with more than 100 co-exhibitors sharing its stand.
The post Sri Lanka expected to allow visa-free entry for Brits from next month appeared first on Travel Gossip.
Continue reading...
