Sri Lanka Giving Free Visas to Boost Tourism after Easter Deadly Attacks

By Staff, Agencies

Sri Lanka said it will give one-month free visa on arrival to visitors from nearly 50 countries in its latest effort to revive the island nation's lucrative tourism industry that was badly hit by the Easter bomb attacks.

Tourism Minister John Amaratunga said tourists or those visiting for business purposes could get their free visa on arrival or applying online. The measure will be effective for six months, starting from Thursday.

Tourist arrivals sharply declined after the coordinated suicide attacks on tourist hotels and churches.

The blasts that killed more than 250 people were blamed on terrorist extremists.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe said Sri Lanka is now safe for tourists and security has returned to normalcy.