The Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha said that even as the Foreign Ministry is preoccupied with endeavouring to mitigate a multitude of problems faced by Sri Lankans overseas, it is also seeking to re-position Sri Lanka’s exports in the context of market conditions that have arisen as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.

He said if this was successful, Sri Lanka would emerge one step ahead in the global supply chain, in a post COVID-19 world.

Issuing a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Relations said that the Ministry, together with the Export Development Board and Sri Lankan Missions abroad, are continuing to explore access for Sri Lankan products into new markets.

The statement added that the Ministry is also working with Sri Lanka Tea Board in expediting the process of authentication of export documents, in respect of tea consignments to various destinations in the Middle East and Turkey, as well as several other products.

The statement further noted that the Ministry is also supporting Sri Lanka Tourism in the facilitation required for over 12,000 foreign tourists who have chosen to remain in Sri Lanka, despite the present COVID-19 pandemic and the prevailing curfews in many parts of the country.

This includes over 4000 tourists from Western countries, notwithstanding the continuance of commercial as well as charter flights to return home.

Visas for tourists in Sri Lanka were automatically extended in the face of the crisis situation, up to 12 May 2020.

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