Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Thursday Dec 12, 2024
Wednesday, 13 January 2021 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga on Monday categorically told all the key industry stakeholders that strict measures would be taken to ensure health and safety guidelines were adhered to and those violating would be blacklisted. To ensure efficient monitoring a 24-hour operational centre will be set at Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA) as well.
He made these remarks at a massive awareness session on new COVID-19 health and safety protocols for all industry stakeholders at the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (SLITHM) from 21 January, as the country reopens airports for commercial flights and foreign tourists.
“Once the airport is open for international travellers and commercial flights, all institutions and individuals that do not follow the health guidelines will be blacklisted,” Ranatunga said.
He also pointed out that if anyone violated these health guidelines, it would severely affect the future of the tourism industry.
The Minister said it was mandatory to obtain prior approval of SLTDA and other relevant agencies on all required details as outlined in the health and safety guidelines.
“Once the notice is given, SLTDA will fully monitor the tourists from their arrival in the country to their destinations and their departure. A 24-hour operational centre will be established at SLTDA for this purpose,” Ranatunga added.
At stakeholder briefings, the Minister also explained how the Katunayake and Mattala airports would be operational from 21 January.
He assured that arrangements had been made to separate the arrival of tourists and Sri Lankans from abroad to prevent mixing of the two at the airports.
Ranatunga also said there was no plan to bring in tourists from any country without the approval of the COVID-Task Force or the health authorities. The Minister said that all possible steps had been taken in this regard.
State Minister Aviation D.V. Chanaka, Tourism Ministry Secretary S. Hettiarachchi, Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando, SLTDA Director General Dhammika Wijayasingha, Airport Aviation Services (Lanka) Ltd. Chairman Major (Retd.) G.A. Chandrasiri and Civil Aviation Authority (CAASL) Director General Capt. (Retd.) Themiya Abeywickrama also participated at the discussion.
