A group of tourists enjoy in Pettah early this week– Pic by Shehan Gunasekara 

• Exact number yet to be officially verified but industry estimates less than 20,000
• CAASL says only Russia has made request, given approval
• Board of Airline Representatives assures to operate at least 1 flight a day from BIA
• SLAITO and Sri Lanka Tourism set up ‘Tourism Assistance Office,’ hotline 1912

By Charumini de Silva 

Despite the partial shutdown of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) from yesterday, Sri Lanka Tourism said it would facilitate any country to fly out their nationals on holiday or work here back home via charter flights on request.

The exact number of tourists currently in Sri Lanka is still being verified, with industry sources estimating it at under 20,000 whilst there were reports claiming over 30,000.

Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) CEO and Director General H.M.C. Nimalsiri told Daily FT that as of yesterday it had received only a request from Russia for a charter flight to which it had given approval.

“Russia has made a special request to airlift their nationals and we have given approval for one of their charter flights to come to BIA,” he added.

Inquiries made from the Foreign Ministry confirmed that no other countries had made a request yet.

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando on Wednesday met the Board of Airline Representatives (BAR) to discuss how they will operate, given the partial closure of the airport from yesterday.

“We all agreed in principle that the BAR members would at least operate one flight a day from BIA,” BAR President Dimuthu Tennakoon told Daily FT.

Sri Lanka Tourism in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) established a ‘Tourism Assistance Office’ yesterday, which will provide assistance to any tourist in need via its hotline 1912.

“This unit will be run by SLAITO member staff together with Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA). We are taking all measures to address the situation,” Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Fernando told Daily FT.

The unit will come under the purview of SLAITO Chief Operating Officer Wing Commander Kumuda Eramudugolla. 

“The entire world is striving to face the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response to the current situation, the Government has taken several measures to safeguard its citizens as well as the many foreign nationals who are currently touring Sri Lanka. There are several reports of stranded tourists who are either unable to leave to their home country or being asked to leave their current accommodation. We request these tourists to contact 1912 or 0112426900,” she added.

Fernando also said that the validity period of all types of visas would be extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 14 March to 12 April 2020.

“Tourists are instructed to visit the Visa Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration on either 8 or 9 April to pay the relevant fee and get the visa endorsed on their passports. In case they intend to leave the island during the aforementioned period, their journey will be facilitated by paying the relevant visa fee at the airport without any penalty,” she said. 

For any inquiry in this regard, contact +94 77 158 8724.

Sri Lanka Tourism also called on tourists who arrived in Sri Lanka between 1 to 15 March to register with SLTDA through telephone numbers 0112 444 480, 0112 444 481, 0115 978 720, 0115 978,730 and 0115 978 734.

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