THIS is an appalling, indiscriminate attack on the citizens of a beautiful country and once again tourists, including Britons, are among the victims.
Since the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004 and the end of the Sri Lankan civil war 10 years ago, tourism has become a cornerstone of the nation’s economy.
Around 2.3 million visitors arrived in 2018, of which just over 254,000 were from the UK – roughly 8,000 are there now.
Key attractions include a wealth of historic sites such as Galle’s 16th century fort, the mighty Sigiriya rock, Kandy’s mysterious temples and fine beaches.
Unfortunately, I think it’s inevitable there will be a minor short-term impact on visitors from Britain.
However, the Foreign Office has not issued a notice of advice not to travel to Sri Lanka so, for now, those looking to cancel or switch to an alternative destination should contact their tour operator.
