Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath Boosts Tourism

Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath outlines plans to revive the nation's tourism sector, which was severely impacted by the Easter Sunday attacks, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crises. Herath highlighted the planned introduction of free visas for 39 countries, including India, starting January 2024 to attract more visitors. He also requested reciprocal visa easing for Sri Lankans travelling to India.

Sri Lanka's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Vijitha Herath, provides an update on the country's strategic efforts to revitalize its tourism sector. The sector has faced unprecedented challenges in recent years due to the Easter Sunday attack, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the economic crises.

Speaking at the India Foundation Program, Herath stated, "We, too, had such significant tourism before the Easter Sunday attack in 2018. We got the highest amounts of tourists. And at that time, according to my memory, we earned billion dollars."

On Easter Sunday, Sri Lankan citizens who pledged allegiance to ISIS detonated backpack suicide bombs in four hotels and three churches in the greater Colombo area and Batticaloa, killing more than 260 people, including five Americans. Herath pointed out the compounding challenges Sri Lanka faced due to these crises: "After the easter Sunday attack, there was a COVID-19 situation. After that, the economic crisis was there. Because of those three factors, we faced so many difficulties. The third one was the economic crisis. Now, all those factors are not there," he explained, adding that these barriers are no longer present.

Looking forward, the Minister expressed hope for boosting tourism, particularly from India. "We can increase our tourism industry. And we hope to open our hands to India. And we hope the Indian tourists will come." A key part of the strategy to boost tourism involves a policy change set for January 2024. Herath revealed, "At the start of next January, we will pass some cassette notification in the parliament. In that cassette notification, we will give free visas to 39 countries."

This move is expected to make visiting Sri Lanka easier for tourists from India. Additionally, Herath appealed regarding travel facilities for Sri Lankans to India, stating, "Then most of the Indians are not only Indians but also 39 other countries tourists can visit us early. And apart from that, I feel you also asked for that facility in your country. India has not given that facility yet. Therefore, please inform your government to give that facility to Sri Lankans."

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