Malaysia considering visa-free entry for Sri Lankans
Tourism Malaysia and the country’s tourism industry are pushing for visa-free travel for Sri Lankans to boost tourism
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (MNTV) – Tourism Malaysia and the country’s tourism industry are pushing for visa-free travel for Sri Lankans to boost tourism, Senior Director, International Promotion for Asia and Africa at Tourism Malaysia, Nuwal Fadhilah Ku Azmi said.
Speaking to a Sri Lankan delegation which included officials from SriLankan Airlines and the media in Putrajaya, Azmi said that proposals have been made to the Malaysian government in this regard.
She also said the Malaysian High Commission in Colombo was also behind the efforts and added a request from the Sri Lankan government for visa free travel for its citizens would help efforts further.
The SriLankan Airlines has tied-up with Tourism Malaysia to promote travel between the two countries, reports Daily News.
Speaking to the delegation, Azmi further said that visa-free initiatives were gaining momentum worldwide to attract tourists and Malaysia had recently launched visa-free travel for visitors from China and India.
Zulhelmi Mohammed from International Promotional Division for Asia and Africa at Tourism Malaysia said over 58,000 Sri Lankans visited Malaysia in 2024, a 122 percent increase when compared to pre-pandemic numbers in 2019, when only 26,058 Sri Lankans travelled to Malaysia. He also said Malaysia has plans to bring in 31.4 million tourists this year and 35.6 million tourists in 2026.
Deepal Perera, Manager of Corporate Communications at SriLankan Airlines, said Tourism Malaysia and SriLankan will work jointly to boost bilateral tourism. Perera also said visa free travel to Sri Lankan tourists visiting Malaysia could witness a major uptick in Sri Lankans visiting Malaysia.
Solehuddin Ahmad, Deputy Director of the South Asia Unit at Malaysia Tourism, noted that Tourism Malaysia has unveiled its vision for promoting the country in 2026, and the new strategy will have a focus on eco-tourism and culture.
“The campaign is built on five strategic pillars: sustainable tourism, culture and heritage, nature and adventure, digital innovation, and global connectivity” he added.
In September 2025, Malacca will host the launch of Visit Malaysia Year 2026. The theme for World Tourism Day 2025 is “Tourism & Sustainable Transformation”.
Sharuka Wickrama Adittiya, the SriLankan Airlines Manager for Malaysia and Singapore said SriLankan will be offering special rates and packages specially for Sri Lankan group tourists visiting Malaysia.
Hishamuddin Mustafa, Director, Tourism Malaysia in Chennai, who accompanied the Sri Lankan delegation, said Tourism Malaysia has partnered with SriLankan Airlines to promote leisure travel from Sri Lanka to Malaysia, leveraging the island nation’s economic revival and rising demand for overseas trips.
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