Sri Lanka, May 25 -- Starting today (25), Sri Lanka will provide free 30-day tourist visas (ETA) to citizens of 40 countries, according to a circular issued by the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

The move follows Cabinet approval on March 30 and subsequent Parliamentary approval.

Eligible countries include Australia, Canada, China, India, Japan, the UK, the USA, UAE, and 32 others.

Citizens holding diplomatic, official, service, or ordinary passports from these countries can obtain a free ETA.

All foreign nationals, including citizens of the 40 eligible countries and countries with bilateral agreements with Sri Lanka, including the Maldives, Seychelles, and Singapore, must obtain an ETA before arrival.

Under the Sri Lanka-M...