Sri Lanka cancels visa-on-arrival for 39 countries in the wake of Easter blasts

Sri Lanka has put a stop on the visa-on-arrival facility for 39 countries, owing to the deadly blasts that rocked the country on April 21 this year. The country saw a series of suicide bombings on the Easter Sunday, killing at least 253 people. Following the attack, Sri Lanka suspended its plan to grant visa-on-arrival to visitors from 39 countries, which was recently proposed.
Tourism Minister Tourism John Amaratunga said, "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." As per his statement, there are hints of foreign involvement in the Easter attacks, and thus the suspension on the visa-on-arrival facility.

The said proposal was previously made to attract more tourists to the island nation, especially during the off-season that runs from May to October. It was designed as a pilot programme, much likely to be extended, before this new turn that has led to a cancelling of it all.
It has to be noted that Sri Lanka is one of the fastest emerging markets for tourism, with the industry leading to a five per cent contribution to its GDP. It saw 450000 Indians as visitors in the last year, and the count was expected to touch the million mark this year.