The Controller General of Immigration and Emigration has stated that nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russsia, Thailand, Malaysia and Japan will be granted free visas from Monday 27-11-2023 to 31-03-2024 as a pilot program to rebuild the tourism industry. Nationals of the above nominated countries possessing, Diplomatic, Official, Public Affairs, Services and Ordinary Passports are […]

The Department of Immigration and Emigration announces that a free Visa regime is implemented for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Russia, Thailand, Malaysia, and Japan with immediate effect, until 31 March 2024, launching as a pilot program to rebuild the tourism industry in line with the Cabinet of Ministers approval.

New Italian Ambassador Mr. Damiano Francovigh has expressed his consent to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena s request to look into matters urgently to introduce Colombo as a direct air and shipping destination with the aim of developing tourism between Italy and Sri Lanka.

The Minister of Economy and Planning for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Faisal F. Alibrahim, met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe on Monday (27) at the Presidential Secretariat. During the discussions, Minister Faisal F. Alibrahim emphasized Saudi Arabia’s keen interest in strengthening economic ties with Sri Lanka across various sectors, including apparels and tourism. He elucidated […]

The Minister of Economy and Planning for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Faisal F. Alibrahim, met with President Ranil Wickremesinghe this afternoon (27) at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo.

Monday 27th November, 2023 The SJB has commenced collecting signatures for a public petition as part of a campaign to have those who are responsible for the current economic crisis stripped of their civic rights. Given public resentment, which is palpable, the SJB may be able to obtain hundreds of thousands of signatures for its […]

By Amal JAYASINGHE Malé (Maldives) AFP: Rising sea levels threaten to swamp the Maldives and the Indian Ocean archipelago is already out of drinking water, but the new president says he has scrapped plans to relocate citizens. Instead, President Mohamed Muizzu promises the low-lying nation will beat back the waves through ambitious land reclamation and building […]

Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara says that the country has lost an opportunity to support rebuilding the tourism industry and the economy as a result of the decision taken by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to move the Under 19 World Cup to South Africa from Sri Lanka.

The Special envoy of the Chinese President, state Councillor Mrs. Shen Yiqin paid a courtesy call on President Ranil Wickremesinghe  at the Presidential Secretariat this morning (20). The primary focus of the meeting was to enhance tourism and trade relations between the two countries. The Chinese Special Envoy stated that China is also prioritizing the […]

Arab-Israeli vlogger and online influencer Nuseir Yassin - known to his millions of followers as the founder of the popular online community ÂNas Daily  has entered into an agreement with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB).

Sri Lanka would generate over 5 billion U.S dollars from tourism in 2024, Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) Chairman, Priantha Fernando, said recently in Colombo. This would be the highest ever revenue generated by tourism for the country, Fernando added. The country is targeting 2.3 million tourist arrivals in 2024, he said. Sri Lanka will generate 2.3 […]

Altogether 74,664 foreign tourists arrived in Sri Lanka in the first 15 days of November, according to the latest statistics released by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA).

During the key note address at the ‘YPO Colombo Experience: Rediscover the Pearl’ conference held on Saturday (18) at the Shangri La hotel Colombo, President Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed his vision for transforming the economic landscape of the region. The President, who held discussions with the new Maldivian President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, on Friday (17), had […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has announced in his budget speech that he has allocated Rs 2 billion to construct another international airport at Hingurakgoda (Minneriya). Really? We already have ‘International Airports’ at Ratmalana, Jaffna/Palaly (KKS), Mattala, Batticaloa and Katunayake. In fact, in the North, South, East and West of the island. BIA-Katunayake is the only International […...

Budget highlights Following are the highlights of Budget proposals made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe in Parliament yesterday: New economic and political system The President said in order not to fall back into a crisis, the economic and political system of Sri Lanka must be created anew.  He said that a new social consensus should be […]

* Tax revenue to be raised by 47.1% in 2024 * Rs 10,000 increase for public sector workers * Pensioners to get Rs 2,500 allowance * Rs. 450 bn reserved for bank recapitalization * Four new universities to be established * 20% of state banks to be given off by Saman Indrajith President Ranil Wickremesinghe, […]

President Ranil Wickremesinghe says a programme will be prepared to attract local and foreign tourists by modernizing the government-owned resorts and tourist bungalows and using them to promote tourism.

Jetwing Vil Uyana, has been included inclusion in the esteemed 2024 Fodor’s Finest Hotels List. This exclusive recognition, curated by Fodor’s editors and their extensive global network of independent writers, shines a spotlight on 60 of the world’s most extraordinary hotels, with Jetwing Vil Uyana standing as the sole Sri Lankan resort on this prestigious […]

State Minister of Social Empowerment Anupa Pasqual attending a press conference held at the Presidential Media Center today (08), said that promoting accessible travel and creating an inclusive environment will be the theme for this year’s  International Day of Persons with disabilities. The United Nations has declared December 3 as the  International Day of Persons […]