The Sri Lankan Cabinet of Ministers has approved a proposal from the Minister of Tourism to issue visa on arrival to tourists visiting Sri Lanka from 39 countries.

The visas will be issued on a gratis basis as an incentive to attract tourists.

The programme will be a pilot project effective for an initial period of six months commencing May 1 and ending October 31. The programme will be considered for continuation thereafter.

The countries included are – Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, the UK, the US, Japan, Australia, South Korea, Canada, Singapore, New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Switzerland. THE ISLAND/ANN