Sri Lanka welcomes first tourist plane after lifting travel ban amid COVID-19

Sri Lanka has opened its borders for international tourists after a ban of more than nine months amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.

According to the media reports, the authorities of the Indian Ocean island nation closed the two main international airports during the first wave of the coronavirus.

Recently the government has introduced a pilot program to attract tourists. On Monday this week, the first tourists plane arrived and passengers are expected to enjoy their stay for the next 10 days.

Around 2,580 travelers are expected to arrive in Sri Lanka and mostly from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) under the recently launched Pilot Program. The program is expected to run until January 24.

COVID-19 has adversely affected the tourism of the country. The tourism sector accounting for about 5% of its GDP and employing 250,000 people directly and up to 2 million indirectly.

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Previously, the Chief of the Naval Staff  (CNS) Admiral Amjad Khan Niazi held a meeting with Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan Vice Admiral (Retd) Mohan Vijay Vikrama at the Naval Headquarters.

According to the Spokesperson of the Pakistan Navy, both discussed maritime affairs and ways to enhance cooperation between the naval forces of Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

CNS also discussed the maritime security of the region with the distinguished guest.

The Muslims in Sri Lanka disapproves of the policy and label them as “discriminatory” and demand the burials to happen across the country.

The Naval Chief and the distinguished guest also discussed the security situation in the region and the promotion of bilateral maritime cooperation.