Sri Lanka visa-free plan on hold after terror attacks
Sri Lanka has suspended its recently announced plans to grant nationals of 39 countries visa-free entry during the low season.
It cites the devastating Easter bombings for halting the plan.
"Although arrangements were in place to issue visas on arrival for citizens of 39 countries, we have now decided to hold it for the time being in consideration of the current security situation," tourism minister John Amaratunga said.
"Investigations have revealed foreign links to the attacks and we don’t want this programme to be abused."
Sri Lanka had announced it would offer visa-free entry to many of its main source markets from May 1, but that did not initially include China and India.
Sri Lanka had welcomed 740,600 foreign tourists in the first quarter of the year, which was an increase of nearly 5%.
It is now expecting a major tourism downturn which could linger.
It received a record 2.33 million tourists in 2018.
The Easter Sunday suicide bombings targeting churches and hotels killed more than 250 people, including many foreign visitors.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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