Lanka posts 17% jump in tourist arrivals

Photo Courtesy: scmp

Sri Lanka said it has received 707,924 tourists in the first three months of this year, recording an increase of 17.1 per cent compared to the corresponding period last year.

“Lanka could have attracted more tourists in March if not for the outbreak of communal violence in Galle and the subsequent declaration of the state of Emergency,” said Tourism Development Minister John Amaratunga referring to the emergency declared in the island country last month following a communal violence between muslims and Buddhist groups.

India, China, Germany, France and the UK are the biggest tourist markets for Sri Lanka. The minister said the country received 233,382 tourist arrivals in March. “It is a drop against 235,618 tourists we received in February. Despite the slight decline, we can sustain the growth momentum for the future as the country is now normal,” Amaratunga added.