Sri Lanka will hold road shows in five key Indian cities to attract more visitors from its populous northern neighbour in a bid to bring more foreign currency into the crisis-hit island, Tourism Minister Harin Fernando said. Known for its rolling hills, pristine beaches and laidback seaside towns, Sri Lanka is grappling with its worst financial crisis in seven decades, partly triggered by economic mismanagement and the Covid-19 pandemic, which wiped out its lucrative tourism industry. The country of 22 million people is now without enough foreign currency to import even essentials, leading to shortages of medicine, food and fuel. Despite the turmoil, Sri Lanka has seen a steady trickle of 61,951 Indian tourists — the most from any foreign country — in the first five months of this year and the government is keen to bring in more Indians. Sri Lanka's tourism ministry will hold road shows in five major Indian cities, seeking to draw business and leisure travellers, besides destination weddings, Fernando said. — Reuters
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