Expert committee to study free tourist visa programme

5 May 2024 09:49 pm Views - 2491

Colombo, May 05 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lankan government has established an expert committee tasked with exploring the viability of implementing free tourist visas in a bid to boost tourism in the country. 

Led by Chairperson Senior Assistant Secretary to the President Chandima Wickramasinghe, the committee comprises a diverse range of experts from various sectors including tourism, immigration, security and finance.

The committee's mandate includes examining international models of free tourist visa programmes to assess their impact on tourism and related industries. 

Furthermore, members will analyse successful implementations in other countries and evaluate their potential benefits and drawbacks for Sri Lanka. 

With representatives from key organizations such as the Ministry of Tourism and Lands, the Immigration and Emigration Department and tourism industry associations, the committee aims to provide comprehensive recommendations to President Ranil Wickremesinghe within one month.