Sri Lanka’s global travel freedom remains under pressure, with the latest passport rankings highlighting limited mobility despite a marginal improvement in position.
Sri Lanka has been ranked 93rd in the Henley Passport Index for 2026, reflecting the country’s continued struggle to improve international travel access for its citizens. The index, which measures passport strength based on visa free or visa on arrival access, places Sri Lanka near the lower end of the global rankings.
Singapore has secured the top position for the third consecutive year, with its passport holders enjoying visa free access to 192 destinations worldwide. Japan and South Korea follow closely in second place, while Denmark and Luxembourg occupy third place with access to 188 and 186 countries respectively, reinforcing the dominance of Asian and European passports in global mobility.
At the opposite end of the scale, Afghanistan has been ranked last at 101st, with access to only 24 destinations, highlighting the sharp global divide in passport power.
Sri Lanka’s position shows a modest improvement compared to last year, when the country was ranked 96th. However, the number of destinations accessible to Sri Lankan passport holders has declined from 44 to 39 this year, underlining that progress in ranking does not necessarily translate into greater travel freedom.
According to the index, only 11 countries are ranked below Sri Lanka, placing it firmly among the weaker passports globally. Despite this, Sri Lanka’s passport still performs better than several other SAARC nations, including Nepal, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, offering relatively broader access within the region.
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports worldwide based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without obtaining a prior visa. Analysts note that diplomatic relations, economic stability, and international trust play a key role in shaping a country’s passport strength, making long term reforms essential for improving Sri Lanka’s global mobility.
SOURCE :- HENLEYGLOBAL
