Excerpts of Ambassador Ameer Ajwad’s interview by Abdulaziz Al-Shehri of Okaz, a popular Arabic News Daily in Saudi Arabia: 

“The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, His Excellency Ameer Ajwad, has announced that the Government of Sri Lanka has introduced a significant initiative to facilitate travel for Saudi citizens by exempting them from tourist visa fees for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). The decision reflects Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening tourism ties with Saudi Arabia and enhancing its position as a preferred destination for Saudi travelers seeking diverse cultural, natural, and leisure experiences.

In his interview to Okaz, the Ambassador described the introduction of the free electronic travel authorization service as a gesture of friendship and goodwill towards the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its people. He emphasized that the initiative comes at a time of growing cooperation between the two countries and demonstrates Sri Lanka’s determination to further deepen people-to-people connections through tourism.

The Ambassador noted that Saudi Arabia has emerged as an increasingly important source market for Sri Lanka’s tourism sector. By removing visa fees and simplifying entry procedures, Sri Lanka aims to encourage a greater number of Saudi visitors to explore the island nation’s renowned beaches, cultural heritage sites, wildlife reserves, scenic landscapes, and hospitality offerings. He further highlighted that the free 30-day tourist visa will provide Saudi travelers with a more convenient, flexible, and seamless travel experience while supporting Sri Lanka’s broader strategy to attract a larger share of visitors from the Gulf region.

Free Electronic Travel Authorization

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Riyadh announced that, effective from 25 May 2026, Saudi citizens are eligible to obtain a free 30-day tourist visa through Sri Lanka’s Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) system.

Under the new policy, Saudi nationals planning short-term visits may apply online and receive the electronic authorization free of charge prior to arrival through Sri Lanka’s official ETA platform. The initiative forms part of the Sri Lankan Government’s ongoing efforts to facilitate international travel, improve visitor convenience from the earliest stages of trip planning, and strengthen Sri Lanka’s appeal as an accessible and attractive tourism destination for Saudi travelers.

Strengthening Bilateral Relations

The introduction of the visa exemption coincides with a period of expanding cooperation between Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia across multiple sectors, including tourism, labour, trade, investment, education, and cultural exchange. The initiative reflects the shared commitment of both nations to fostering closer ties and enhancing mutual engagement between their peoples.

The move is also expected to contribute positively to tourism flows, business interactions, and cultural understanding between the two friendly countries. Building upon decades of diplomatic relations and longstanding people-to-people connections, the visa facilitation measure represents another important milestone in the growing partnership between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

As Sri Lanka continues to diversify its tourism markets and strengthen its engagement with the Gulf region, the introduction of a free 30-day tourist visa for Saudi citizens is expected to further boost visitor arrivals and create new opportunities for tourism, cultural exchange, and economic cooperation between the two nations.”

Embassy of Sri Lanka 

Riyadh 

04.06.2026