Govt. requests 21 countries to lift ban on Sri Lanka

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga speaking during a meeting with tourism industry officials

• Tourism Minister reviews promotion campaign to be rolled out from 1 August
• Calls for practical proposals to attract tourists instead of theories

The Tourism Ministry in collaboration with the Foreign Affairs Ministry has requested 21 countries to lift the travel ban imposed on Sri Lanka as a result of COVID-19.

This was revealed at a discussion held under the patronage of Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga yesterday to review the promotional campaign which will be rolled out from 1 August.

At present 21 countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Malaysia, Singapore, Italy, Philippines, Germany, Norway, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand, have imposed travel bans on Sri Lanka as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak in the country. 

Ranatunga hopes the Government’s plans to vaccinate 60% of the population by September will go some way towards changing this.

“Tourism is one of the key sectors that can easily attract foreign exchange and we are keen to revive the activities and contribute to the economic development,” he added.

The Minister also said that a joint program had been launched together with airlines and the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) to attract more tourists within the next couple of months.

Ranatunga called on SLTDA officials, and airline and hotel representatives attending the meeting, to submit proposals that were practical and implementable, rather than submitting theories.

“We need results, not just theories,” the Minister said.

Tourism Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando and SLTDA Director General Dhammika Wijayasingha also attended the meeting.