ISLAMABAD: The Sri Lankan government has waived visa fees for Pakistani citizens, while online visa applications are processed within 48 hours.
As per media reports, the Sri Lankan Consul General Sanjeeva Patiwala said that ending visa fees for Pakistanis increased the number of Pakistani tourists visiting Sri Lanka. In 2026, 30,000 Pakistani tourists are expected to visit Sri Lanka.
Last year, 20,000 Pakistanis visited Sri Lanka. After waiving visa fees, wedding ceremonies of Pakistani couples are being held in Sri Lanka.
He said that Pakistan has given scholarships to 100 Sri Lankan students at Allama Iqbal University. Despite the signing of a free trade agreement in 2005, there were trade barriers between the two countries. Defense relations between Pakistan and Sri Lanka are also important, he was of the view.
It merits mentioning that Pakistan and Sri Lanka share strong, historical ties built on defense cooperation, cultural affinity, and mutual diplomatic support. Their longstanding alliance—formally established through the Pakistan-Sri Lanka Free Trade Agreement (PLSFTA) is characterised by continuous strategic collaboration.
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