Sri Lanka Negotiates New Bilateral Visa Pact With Thailand ✈️

• Policy Reversal: Thailand will end its 60-day visa-free scheme for Sri Lankan passport holders effective 15 September 2026. Travellers must obtain visas prior to departure. • Security Concerns: Thai authorities cited national security and illegal activities by certain Sri Lankan nationals during the visa-free period—including drug smuggling allegations involving monks—as key drivers for the review. • Diplomatic Action: Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath will visit Thailand on 14 September to negotiate a draft bilateral visa agreement with the Department of Immigration and Emigration. • Bilateral Impact: The proposed arrangement aims to resolve security issues while supporting legitimate travel, protecting economic interests, and preserving long-term tourism and cross-border mobility.