Airports can be reopened within 12 hours of receiving green light: State Minister D.V. Chanaka

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lankan authorities are prepared to reopen airports within 12 hours of receiving the relevant recommendations from health authorities, State Minister D.V. Chanaka said. "At present airports are not completely closed, but flights are restricted taking into account the global situation due to the COVID-19 pandemic," D.V. Chanaka, the State Minister of Aviation and Export Zones Development, said. However, the State Minister noted, the repatriation of Sri Lankan migrant workers should conclud, before focusing on the reopening of airports. State Minister D.V. Chanaka added, "Discussions on reopening the airport were held last week as well; however, the final decision was that it was too early to re-open the country considering the situation in countries, which opened airports early." The respective authorities will meet next week as well, to discuss the possibility of re-opening airports, he noted. "The repatriation of Sri Lankan migrant workers is the top priority of the government and re-opening the country for tourist arrivals will be considered once repatriation concludes," State Minister D.V. Chanaka further emphasized.