Sri Lanka witnesses drop of 60% in tourist arrivals post Easter Sunday attacks

Sri Lanka has seen a drop of 60 percent in tourist arrivals following Easter Sunday attacks that killed 257 people including 44 foreigners.

Chairman of Tourism authority Kishu Gomes told a press conference in Colombo on Monday that the daily arrival has dropped to around 1700 from average of 4300 during this season.

He said there were several cancellations after the attacks with 37 countries issuing travel advisories against visit to Sri Lanka.

Gomes stated that on an average, it takes 13 months to bounce back to normal positions, but they are working hard to minimize the time period by charting out a strategy for promotional events and ensuring security provisions.

The chairman of hotels association said that occupancy in many hotels has dropped below 10 percent and they have requested government to grant a relief package for the industry.

Meanwhile, search operations continue all over the country and police discovered a suspected safe house in Nuwara Eliya used by the Easter Sunday suicide bombers.

Police suspect the two-storey house was used for training purposes. Police Media Spokesperson Ruwan Gunasekara has said over 140 million cash owned by the terrorist groups has been identified during several raids for the past two weeks.

He said The CID is taking measures to suspend other assets worth over 7 billion rupees belonging to the terrorists.

Two sons of a rich businessman were among the nine suicide bombers involved in the attacks.