Dhaka, June 7 -- Sri Lanka has waived tourist visa fees for nationals of 40 countries, but Bangladesh has been left off the list.

The decision, which took effect on May 25, allows travellers from the selected countries to obtain a 30-day tourist Electronic Travel Authorisation, or ETA, free of charge.

Among South Asian countries, India, Nepal and Pakistan are included in the scheme. Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Bhutan are not on the list.

That means Bangladeshi tourists travelling to Sri Lanka will still have to pay the visa fee.

According to Sri Lanka's immigration rules, tourists from SAARC countries who are not covered by the waiver pay $20 for a multiple-entry visa allowing stays of up to 30 days. Travellers from other countries pa...