Sri Lanka Roundup: Visa-free policy, travel destination, world no tobacco day

Travel destination

Emirates Group reports a 200% increase in bookings to Sri Lanka in 2024, with strong interest from the UAE and UK markets. They are holding an event to boost travel to Sri Lanka, focusing on multi-centre holidays, niche market segments, luxury segment growth, and exploring new source markets. Daily FT explained that the goal is to position Sri Lanka as a year-round travel destination.

Fighters in Ukraine

Sri Lanka is implementing new controls to prevent men from being lured to fight in Ukraine with false promises of salaries and benefits. The country will also bring back Sri Lankans already fighting in Ukraine, some of whom are wounded. Russia's ambassador to Sri Lanka has agreed to cooperate in stopping illegal travel to Russia. The new controls require men to get a "no-objection" document from the Sri Lankan defence ministry when applying for a tourist visa to Russia. Families of Sri Lankans who have travelled to Russia have lodged 455 complaints with the government. At least 37 Sri Lankans have been wounded in Ukraine and 16 others are missing, The Sun reports.

Underworld figure Midigama Ruwan brought to Sri Lanka

Notorious underworld figure Midigama Ruwan, who was allegedly involved in planning an attack on the CID headquarters in Colombo, has been brought to Sri Lanka from Dubai by a CID team. According to Daily Mirror, Ruwan, the brother-in-law of drug trafficker Nadun Chinthaka, was arrested by Dubai police in March after a clash in a nightclub. Chinthaka himself was deported to Sri Lanka from Dubai last year.

World No Tobacco Day

Sri Lanka's tobacco use is declining, with a 9.1% decrease in cigarette consumption among young people, according to local media Adaderana. However, approximately 1.5 million people still smoke, and multinational tobacco companies are targeting the younger generation. Globally, e-cigarette use among adolescents is on the rise, posing a threat to youth and tobacco control. Studies show that e-cigarette use increases conventional cigarette use, particularly among non-smoking youth, by nearly three times.

Visa-free policy

Thailand has approved a 60-day visa-free policy for Sri Lankan nationals starting from June 1st to boost tourism between the two countries. The new measures also include longer stays for students and visa-on-arrival schemes. Thailand is introducing these promotions to attract more tourists, as its economy heavily depends on tourism, The Star reported.