Sri Lanka to give free visas to Indian tourists

The Sri Lankan cabinet has approved a policy to issue free tourist visas to travelers from India and six other countries, including China, Russia, and Japan. This move is part of efforts to revive the country’s struggling tourism sector, which was severely impacted by the Easter Sunday bombings in 2019. The policy will be implemented as a pilot project until March 31, 2024, and aims to attract more tourists from these countries to boost the economy. Sri Lanka is currently facing economic and political challenges, including an acute shortage of essential items.