Colombo, Aug 16 (TIWN) Due to an increase in the number of tourists visiting Sri Lanka with arrivals expected to hit the 3-million mark by the end of the year, the government announced on Friday that might waive off the entry visa fee 48 countries, including India, indefinitely.

Quoted in local media reports, Amaratunga said last year Sri Lanka attracted over 2.3 million tourists and had set a target of over 3 million tourists this year, but arrivals had declined since the Easter Sunday suicide attacks on April 21.  "But now, tourist arrivals have picked up again after the attacks, and we may see arrivals hit the 3 million mark this year," the minister said.  Amaratunga added that the sudden surge in tourist arrivals was partly due to waiving off the entry visa fee for 48 countries including China and India.  Sri Lanka implemented this policy from Aug. 1 and it will last for six months.  However Amaratunga said if more tourists arrive in the country, the government may waive off the entry visa fee for these 48 countries indefinitely.