COLOMBO, August 7, 2025 (ePERSS) – The Advocata Institute, a leading Colombo-based policy think tank, welcomed the Sri Lankan government’s decision to waive visa fees for tourists from 40 additional countries—but warned that more liberal and consistent visa rules are needed to unlock the full economic power of tourism.
Sri Lanka has set an ambitious target of attracting three million tourists and earning USD 5 billion in revenue in 2025. Advocata believes that open, simple, and consistent visa policies, along with an investor-friendly and welcoming atmosphere, are key to hitting that mark.
“This is a step in the right direction,” said Dhananath Fernando, CEO of the Advocata Institute.
“Tourism is one of the few sectors in Sri Lanka that can create jobs quickly and help many other industries at the same time.”
Fernando noted that even small changes—like waiving visa fees—can have a strong impact in making Sri Lanka more attractive to global travelers.
While praising the latest move, Advocata stressed that it should not be seen as a one-time offer. Instead, the think tank called for a wider liberalisation of the visa regime, starting with a return to Sri Lanka’s pre-2012 policy, when citizens of 84 countries could get visa-on-arrival without needing to apply online in advance.
According to Advocata, travelers from those countries are already well-vetted and, in many cases, enjoy visa-free access to over 50 other countries. The institute also proposed a two-year, renewable visa-on-arrival scheme for citizens or residents of high-income countries, specifically those with per capita income four times higher than Sri Lanka’s.
One of the biggest complaints, Advocata pointed out, is the confusing and often frustrating experience of applying for Sri Lankan visas. Over the last decade, the rules have changed suddenly and repeatedly, creating uncertainty for tourists and travel agencies.
Even now, tourists must apply online for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA)—even when fees are waived. This system has payment issues, especially for travelers from countries not covered by the fee waiver, and is often difficult to use.
“The user experience must improve. Visa policies must be stable and easy to understand. Without this, we risk losing tourists to other, more accessible destinations,” Advocata said.
As Sri Lanka looks to tourism to boost its economy, the Advocata Institute’s message is clear: waiving fees is a good start—but real success depends on deeper, lasting reforms.
