Easter Day terror attacks: Sri Lanka to stop visa-on-arrival for citizens of 39 nations
Colombo, Apr 26 (IBNS): At a time when the country is still recovering from the eight suicide blasts on Sunday, the Sri Lankan government has suspended its plans to grant visas on arrival to citizens of 39 countries.
Country's Tourism Minister John Amaratunga tweeted: "Visa on arrival pilot programme set for May 1st launch for 39 countries put on hold due to current security situation."
Visa on arrival pilot programme set for May 1st launch for 39 countries put on hold due to current security situation.
— John Amaratunga (@John_Amaratunga) April 25, 2019
Sri Lankan police have released pictures of several suspects wanted in connection with the Easter Day bombings targeting multiple churches and hotels in the country.
" They are seeking the assistance of the general public in order to apprehend the suspects in questions.Police have released the images and names of six suspects including three females," Sri Lankan government's information portal news.lk reported.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando on Thursday said that he has resigned taking responsibility for the series of suicide bomb attacks in the country's capital city last Sunday, media reports said.
He told media that security agencies had responded to intelligence reports about the possibility of attacks ahead of the fateful Sunday.
Sri Lanka has revised down the death toll from last Sunday's wave of bombings by more than 100, to "about 253", the health ministry says, reported BBC.
Islamic State has claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Second Image: Xinhua/UNI
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