Sri Lanka has announced a policy to issue free tourist visas to travellers from India and six other countries, effective until March 31, 2024. The policy is a pilot project to rebuild the debt-trapped island nation’s tourism sector, which has been hit hard by the 2019 Easter Sunday bombings and the ongoing economic crisis.
Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said in a statement that the policy would be implemented with immediate effect. Tourists from India, China, Russia, Malaysia, Japan, Indonesia, and Thailand will be able to obtain visas when visiting Sri Lanka, without a fee.
India is Sri Lanka’s top inbound tourism market
India is traditionally Sri Lanka’s top inbound tourism market, accounting for 26 per cent of the total arrivals in September 2021. China is the second largest group, followed by Russia and Japan. Sri Lanka hopes to attract more tourists from these countries by offering free visas and promoting its natural and cultural attractions.
Sri Lanka has also relaxed some of its COVID-19 travel restrictions, such as reducing the mandatory quarantine period from 14 days to seven days for fully vaccinated travellers. However, travellers still need to present a negative PCR test result before departure and upon arrival, and follow the health guidelines issued by the authorities.
Sri Lanka faces political unrest and economic turmoil
The free visa policy comes at a time when Sri Lanka is facing political unrest and economic turmoil. The country is struggling to repay its foreign debt, which amounts to over 100 per cent of its GDP. The country has also experienced a severe shortage of essential items like food, medicine, cooking gas and other fuel, toilet paper and even matches, due to import restrictions and currency depreciation.
Protesters have been demanding President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s resignation, accusing him of mismanaging the economy and violating human rights. The president has rejected the calls for his resignation, saying that he is working hard to overcome the challenges and restore stability.
![gain Rise in Gold Rate in India After Falling Rs 21,200/24K; Will Gold Price Today Jump or Drop on 28 March? By Harshika Yadav Published: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 6:55 [IST] preference Add as a preferred source on Google Gold rates in India witnessed a modest recovery on March 27, 2026, after a sharp fall in the previous session, indicating a cautious stabilisation in the bullion market. The yellow metal had dropped by Rs 212 per gram (or Rs 21,200 per 100 grams) of 24 Karat (24K) earlier, but managed to regain some ground. Gold Price Updates as US-Iran Tensions Ease; Pakistan, Turkiye & Egypt Step Up Mediation Efforts The rise in yellow metal follows easing geopolitical concerns after US President Donald Trump signalled a delay in potential military action against Iran's energy infrastructure by 10 days, pushing the deadline to April 6. This development, along with ongoing diplomatic efforts, has helped support safe-haven demand. gold Rate Today Further adding to market sentiment, Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar confirmed that Islamabad is acting as an intermediary between the United States and Iran, relaying messages as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions. Countries like Türkiye and Egypt are also reportedly supporting the mediation process, offering some relief to global financial markets. Gold Rate in India: Check Latest 22K, 24K & 18K Gold Prices Per Gram 24 Karat Gold Rate Today in India In the 24 Karat segment, at the time of writing, the rate for 1 gram stood at Rs 14,471, rising by Rs 16 from Rs 14,455. For 8 grams, the price increased to Rs 1,15,768, up by Rs 128. The rate for 10 grams climbed to Rs 1,44,710, reflecting a gain of Rs 160, while 100 grams of 24 Karat gold were priced at Rs 14,47,100, marking an increase of Rs 1,600. 22 Karat Gold Rate Today in India The price of one gram of 22K stood at Rs 13,265, gaining Rs 15 from the previous session. For 8 grams, the rate rose to Rs 1,06,120, registering an increase of Rs 120. The cost of 10 grams advanced to Rs 1,32,650, up by Rs 150, while 100 grams were priced at Rs 13,26,500, reflecting a gain of Rs 1,500. 18 Karat Gold Rate Today in India The rate for one gram of 18K stood at Rs 10,853, up by Rs 12. For 8 grams, the price moved up to Rs 86,824, marking a gain of Rs 96. The rate for 10 grams climbed to Rs 1,08,530, increasing by Rs 120, while 100 grams were valued at Rs 10,85,300, reflecting an uptick of Rs 1,200. Latest MCX Gold Price In the domestic futures market, gold on the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) held firm above the Rs 1,44,500 level as per latest trading record, supported largely by the weakness in the Indian rupee, which continues to cushion local prices despite global volatility. Latest Spot Gold Rate The rebound in domestic gold rates comes alongside a recovery in international markets, where gold moved above the $4,400 per ounce mark. What Lies Ahead for Gold Prices? Check Gold Rate Prediction Jateen Trivedi, VP - Research Analyst (Commodity and Currency), LKP Securities, said, "Gold remained slightly positive, trading above $4,425 with highs near $4,475, supported by initial optimism around US-Iran talks. However, the sharp rise in crude continues to signal underlying market stress and inflation risks." From a technical perspective, he explained, "Technically, support is seen near Rs 1,42,000, while resistance is placed around Rs 1,46,500. Overall, gold is expected to remain volatile with limited upside unless clarity emerges on inflation and geopolitics."](https://keralanews247.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/rupee-and-dollar-scaled-350x250.png)
