Minister of Tourism,Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga says that  the opening the country for tourists is the only way to solve the problems of those employed in the tourism industry and affected by the Covid pandemic and to restore the tourism sector in Sri Lanka.

At a discussion held with the tourism stakeholders in Sigiriya area, the Minister said that there is no point in providing temporary solutions for this purpose except getting the tourist attraction by promoting Sri Lanka as a Covid free country through the successful implementation of the vaccination drive.

The Minister further stated that steps will be taken to discuss with the authorities of the countries, where travel to Sri Lanka has been suspended due to the Covid pandemic situation, in view of lifting the travel ban.

The Minister said that discussions are underway with the new Minister of Finance, Hon. Basil Rajapaksa regarding the development of the tourism sector and that the Ministry has already taken steps to welcome tourists to Sri Lanka and ensure their health safety.Discussions have also been held to seek the assistance of Sri Lankan Ambassadors abroad in order to promote Sri Lanka as a Covid free country.

Excluding the vaccination only those over 30 years of age, all those over 18 years of age employed in the investment zones and engaged in the tourism sector are given a special opportunity to be vaccinated.Accordingly, it is expected that between 500 and 1000 tourists will arrive in the country daily from the 1st of next month.

Since the reopening of the country that closed due to the Covid -19 pandemic, 18,200 tourists have arrived in the country, earning nearly US $ 40 million.