The Sri Lankan authorities do not intend to extend the program for issuing free visas to citizens of seven countries, including Russia, the Daily Mirror newspaper reported citing Sri Lanka's Public Security Minister Tiran Alles.

"When asked whether the project that permitted visa-free entry to visitors from seven countries, including India, China and Russia, would be extended further, the minister expressed that the facility may not be extended. The pilot project is set to remain in effect until March 31, 2024," the newspaper wrote.

Earlier, Sri Lankan Tourism Minister Harin Fernando announced that the authorities are working to extend this pilot project, even planning to expand it to new countries.

In late October last year, the Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka announced the start of issuing free visas to citizens of Russia, India, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Thailand and Japan.