Govt. lifts ban on inbound passenger flights from 1 June

• Allows only 75 passengers per flight including tourists
• Restrictions on passengers who’ve been to India remains

The Government has decided to lift the temporary ban imposed on inbound travellers from 1 June, but with a 14-day mandatory quarantine and restrictions on passengers who have been to India in the recent past.

Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) Chairman Upali Dharmadasa said a total of 75 passengers per flight are allowed, including tourists.

Previously, passenger flights were banned from 21-31 May as part of overall measures to curb the rapid spread of COVID-19 via the third wave. With domestic travel restrictions continuing till 7 June, there were concerns whether the ban on incoming passenger flights will continue as well. 

According to the new directives of the CAA, those who have been to India within the past 14 days will not be allowed to enter the country until further notice.

Foreign nationals, seafarers, business and investment travellers require prior approval from Foreign Affairs to enter the country along with the entry visa, while it is not applicable for Sri Lankan passport holders and dual citizens. 

A mandatory 14-day quarantine at an identified quarantine centre/hotel or ‘Safe and Secure’-certified Level 1 hotel is required for all inbound travellers, irrespective of the type of vaccine obtained.

CAA Chairman also said that inbound tourists should refer to the Sri Lanka Tourism direction at http://www.srilanka.travel/helloagain/.

Inbound travellers are required to obtain a negative PCR test prior to departure point of origin as per airlines requirement.

After a near 10-month closure, Sri Lanka on 21 January re-opened borders to resume inbound international travel to the country. Since then, over 13,000 tourists have arrived while complying with health and safety guidelines.

Prior to the COVID outbreak, around 35 airlines operated direct flights to Sri Lanka. However post-COVID, only Qatar Airways, Emirates, Etihad, Turkish Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Singapore Airlines, China Eastern, Ukraine Airlines, Air Astana, Oman Air, Gulf Air and Fly Dubai have resumed flights to Sri Lanka.