The Cabinet of Ministers has authorized President Ranil Wickremesinghe to implement visa-free access for 38 countries with immediate effect, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry announced today.

Taking to ‘X’, Minister Sabry said the government has adopted Singapore’s streamlined ‘one-chop’ approach, where a visa or a visa extension is issued with just one official stamp or seal (‘chop’) on the applicant’s passport. 

The Foreign Minister further said that this decision will help ease congestion at visa counters.

Meanwhile, former Tourism Minister and Presidential Advisor on Tourism Affairs Harin Fernando also confirmed that the ‘One-Chop’ visa-free system will be launched with immediate effect.

Also taking to ‘X’, the former minister said the Cabinet has given the President full authority to execute the operation.

The move comes as tourists are facing a delay at the Katunayake Aiport following the issue with the newly introduced visa issuance system in Sri Lanka. (Newswire)

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