Colombo, Sri Lanka — Sri Lanka aims to receive an average of 3,300 tourists per day after the reopen its international borders in January 21, according to The Airport and Aviation Services Director (Operations), Shehan Sumanasekara.
Initially we are looking at about 3,300 passengers per day, but we don’t know if that many would arrive as tourists at first due to the pandemic. However, if we feel that 3,000 are indeed arriving in Sri Lanka, we will slowly increase the numbers.
Shehan Sumanasekara
Sumanasekar stated that the PCR tests will be conducted at designated hotels before check-in amidst reports of a significant drop in PCR testing capacity at the airport.
While the initial testing capacity at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was at 3,000 per day, allegedly it was recently changed to only 600 per day. Sumanasekar denied this and maintained that the airport authorities have made a decision to no longer conduct tests at the airport but instead carry them out at the hotels prior to check-in.
Sumanasekar noted that both Mattala and Katunayake international airports will be open for tourists on Thurday(21) as well.
Sri Lanka is executing a “bio-bubble” tourism concept with 14 regulation approved locations, where tourist contact is limited strictly to tour guides and hotel staff.
