Sri Lanka has lifted Pakistan from its negative visit visa list after direct talks in Colombo. President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued the order following a meeting with Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi. The decision aims to ease travel barriers for Pakistani citizens and reset bilateral ties.
Officials say the move will improve access to Sri Lanka’s visit visa, tourist visa, business visa and holiday visa categories for Pakistanis. The directive came during discussions that also included Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain.
Visit Visa Policy Shift Signals New Phase in Sri Lanka–Pakistan Relations
Pakistani authorities had raised concerns over delays and added scrutiny in Sri Lanka’s visit visa process. President Dissanayake responded by instructing departments to remove Pakistan from restrictive classifications with immediate effect.
The talks also covered counter-terrorism cooperation, anti-narcotics work and joint security training. Colombo acknowledged Islamabad’s past support during Sri Lanka’s economic crisis.
In a goodwill gesture, Pakistan agreed to play a T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo. Sri Lankan officials described the match as a diplomatic signal beyond sport.
President Dissanayake confirmed the meeting on his official X account. He reaffirmed what he called a longstanding friendship between the two countries. Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has invited the Sri Lankan leader to visit Islamabad in the coming months.
The visit visa reform is expected to benefit tourists, investors and business travelers from Pakistan. It marks a clear policy shift that could boost travel flows and trade links in 2026.
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