Sri Lankan tourism hit post-attack

COLOMBO/BENTOTA, Sri Lanka - Sri Lanka's $4.4 billion tourism industry is reeling from cancellations as travelers shun the Indian Ocean island after multiple suicide bombings killed more than 250 people two weeks ago.

Suspected suicide bombers from a little-known Muslim extremist group in Sri Lanka attacked churches and luxury hotels in the country on Easter Sunday. Among the dead were worshippers and Sri Lankan and foreign tourists. The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attacks.

"It's a big blow to the economy, as well as the tourism industry," Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena said in an interview on Saturday. "For the economy to develop, it's important tourism return to where it was before the attacks."