Sri Lanka Removes Pakistan from Negative Visa List After Naqvi Meeting

Sri Lanka has officially removed Pakistan from its negative visa lists, easing travel restrictions for Pakistani citizens. The decision followed a meeting between Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Federal Interior Minister and PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi.

During the talks, Naqvi highlighted the difficulties faced by Pakistani nationals in obtaining visas for Sri Lanka. Responding swiftly, President Dissanayake directed authorities to lift all restrictions, offering relief to travelers and Pakistani business communities.

The meeting also set the stage for enhanced bilateral cooperation. Both sides discussed counter-terrorism initiatives, anti-narcotics efforts, and joint training programs for security forces. In addition, President Dissanayake confirmed that Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister will soon visit Pakistan, signaling deepening diplomatic ties.

The Sri Lankan leader praised Pakistan’s support during challenging times and acknowledged Islamabad’s agreement to host a T20 World Cup match against India in Colombo, calling it a gesture of goodwill. On his X (formerly Twitter) account, Dissanayake shared that discussions with Naqvi and Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Chaudhry Salik Hussain reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between the two nations.

Naqvi, in turn, appreciated Sri Lanka’s hospitality during the T20 World Cup and extended an invitation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for the Sri Lankan Prime Minister to visit Pakistan. Experts say the visa removal is likely to boost travel, tourism, and business exchanges, further strengthening Pakistan–Sri Lanka relations.