Cyclone Ditwah: Sri Lanka Eases Visa Rules and Urges Airlines for Flexibility

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Published December 1, 2025 by Skift

What looked like Sri Lanka’s best shot at getting closer to its 2018 tourism peak may now turn into a softer December. But the government’s quick push shows it’s trying to keep a weather emergency from snowballing into a full-blown tourism setback.

Sri Lanka has announced free of charge visa extension for tourists stranded in the country after Cyclone Ditwah.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration said in a statement that it will not charge visa-extension fees or overstay penalties from travelers who were supposed to leave the country on or after November 28, but couldn’t because of disruptions. The exemption covers short-term tourist and business visa holders, as well as residents. Those eligible would get seven days to complete their extension, which they can file through the department’s online portal.

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) said it has asked airlines to provide a “full waiver of flight cancellation and date change fees for tourists” and to offer “flexible rebooking policies” for those affected by the cyclone. The tourism authority said the verification process for the rebooking and cancellation would be str

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