In a move aimed at enhancing regional tourism and economic ties, the Sri Lankan government will grant one-year visas for Maldivian nationals starting from August 1, 2025, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath announced yesterday.
Speaking at a tourism-related exhibition in Colombo, Minister Herath stated that the decision was made following a series of policy discussions to revitalize Sri Lanka’s tourism industry and attract more visitors from neighbouring countries.
“Until now, Maldivians were only issued short-term visas under specific conditions. However, we have now decided to issue one-year visas to Maldivian nationals to encourage frequent travel and longer stays, especially for purposes such as health tourism,” he said.
Herath revealed that a large number of Maldivian nationals had previously travelled to Sri Lanka for medical treatment and other services, but the restrictions had led to a notable drop in arrivals. The new visa arrangement is expected to reverse this trend and give a significant boost to the sector.
The announcement comes ahead of an official visit to the Maldives next Monday by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and a Sri Lankan delegation. Minister Herath noted that the visit, extended on the invitation of Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, will include high-level discussions to explore opportunities for Sri Lankan hospitality suppliers to engage with the Maldivian hotel industry.
Sri Lanka recently waived visa fees for tourists from 40 countries, including the UK, as part of a broader initiative to stimulate the tourism sector. Herath acknowledged that the move may result in the loss of direct state revenue but stressed that the long-term gains from increased tourist arrivals would outweigh the short-term costs.(Newswire)