Saturday Feb 28, 2026
Saturday Feb 28, 2026
Saturday, 28 February 2026 01:38 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Sri Lanka marked a milestone in its tourism and digital economy journey on Thursday (26) with the ceremonial issuance of its first Digital Nomad Visa (DNV), officially welcoming Ukrainian national Darya Gordiyenko and her spouse Yaroslav Kovalchuk to the island.
The event, organised by the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), was held at the Silk Route Arrival Lounge at Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake.
Officials described the issuance of the first visa as more than the launch of a new entry category, describing it a strategic repositioning of Sri Lanka’s tourism offering. The initiative targets remote workers, entrepreneurs, and global professionals employed by overseas entities who wish to reside in Sri Lanka for extended periods.
These visitors are expected to generate foreign exchange, support local service sectors, and organically promote Sri Lanka through global digital networks.
In parallel, SLTPB is set to roll out the Digital Nomad Promotional Campaign 2026, aimed at positioning Sri Lanka as a competitive lifestyle destination for remote professionals.
The campaign will leverage digital marketing, international partnerships, and content-driven storytelling to highlight Sri Lanka’s infrastructure, connectivity, tropical lifestyle, co-working ecosystems, and travel diversity within a compact geography.
Although Cabinet approval for the Digital Nomad Visa was granted in 2023, the initiative remained inactive for a prolonged period. Recognising the rising global demand for flexible work environments and the strategic value of attracting location-independent professionals, Sri Lanka Tourism moved to operationalise and reactivate the scheme in collaboration with key State institutions.
To fast-track implementation, SLTPB appointed a dedicated Digital Nomad Tourism Advisory Committee comprising industry leaders and Government representatives. The committee engaged in extensive consultations with the Department of Immigration and Emigration, the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, the Defence Ministry, and ICTA to address regulatory, financial, and security considerations.
Following multiple rounds of procedural refinements and system enhancements, the Digital Nomad Visa was officially reactivated on 14 February 2026. Applications are now processed through the official online platform of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
The ceremony was attended by Digital Economy Deputy Minister Eng. Eranga Weeraratne; Chief Advisor to the President on Digital Economy Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya; SLTPB Deputy Managing Director Chamila Jayarathna; SLTPB Board Member and Managing Director of Mt. Lavinia Hotel Saakya Ukwatte; Department of Immigration and Emigration Controller (Visa) Nayana E. Senarathna; along with officials from SLTPB and the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA).
