Minister Prasanna Ranatunga will convene a high-level discussion tomorrow to resolve the impact on the tourism sector from the ongoing power and fuel crisis. Secretaries to the Ministries of Power, Energy, Trade, Transport, the State agencies Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) and the gas companies, the Armed Forces, Sri Lanka Police and the tourism industry have been summoned for this high-level discussion which will be held at Tourism Ministry tomorrow.

Minister Ranatunga said that discussions will be held on taking priority in obtaining fuel for coaches and vehicles carrying tourists, exempting tourist zones from power cuts, giving priority to those engaged in the tourism industry in obtaining gas from outlets and formulating relevant procedures.

Given the power, fuel and gas crisis in the country at present, the Minister said the tourism industry has been affected in various ways and this discussion is convened in view of resolving the challenges surfaced with the situation.

As per provisional data released by the Tourism Ministry, Sri Lanka has received 263,121 travellers as of 24 March, amidst the challenges emanating from the global COVID pandemic.

During the first 24 days of March 84,287 tourists visited Sri Lanka, with an average of 3,512 tourists per day.

From 1 to 7 March 25,507 tourists were received, whilst from 8 to 14 March 24,891 travellers, 15 to 21 March 24,918 holidaymakers and 22 to 24 March 8,971 visitors arrived in the country.

Scheduled international flights recommence from CIAR