Cabinet approves 14-day visa extension for foreign nationals amid Middle East flight disruptions

The Cabinet of Ministers in Sri Lanka has given the green light to a plan that allows foreign nationals currently in the country to extend their visas by 14 days. This decision comes in light of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which has led to the cancellation of many international flights from Sri Lanka to Middle Eastern locations since February 28. Consequently, some foreign travelers are unable to leave as originally planned, putting them at risk of overstaying their visas. To address this issue, the government will extend visas for 14 days at no extra cost for those whose flights to the Middle East were canceled after February 28. This extension aims to give affected travelers sufficient time to make new travel arrangements while staying legally in Sri Lanka, as stated by the Department of Government Information. Furthermore, the Cabinet has also approved an additional proposal from the Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs. If flight cancellations persist, foreign nationals can receive another 14-day visa extension without any fees. This measure is designed to ensure that stranded travelers can remain in Sri Lanka legally until they can book new flights.