PM assures tourists safe travel in Sri Lanka

Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe on Wednesday assured foreign travellers that the government has taken all "necessary precautions" by beefing up border security among other measures to ensure safe travel in Sri Lanka.

He noted that they are satisfied with security returning to normal in August and September and as a result would be allowing all key religions in the country to carry out their festivities.

The famous Esala Perahera in Kandy and other similar Buddhist peraheras in other areas during these two months would take place as usual, he said.

In addition, the Hindu Vel festival in Jaffna and Colombo and the other Catholic festivals conducted at Tewatte, Talawila and Madhu churches would be held, he said.

"Sri Lanka is on its way back on revival of tourism," he said adding that tourists could avail themselves of concessions and rates that they may not get for a "long, long time."

He also assured that all persons involved in the ISIS inspired attack are under custody and that those who would have associated with them numbering around 200 are currently being questioned under the provisions of the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). (SD)