Russian travel group abandons visit to Sri Lanka

COLOMBO (News 1st): A group of Russian tourists who were expected to arrive in Sri Lanka on the 27th of this month had cancelled the tour, Vice Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. Rajiv Suriyarachchi said. The Sri Lanka Government decided to reopen its airports for tourist arrivals from the 26th of this month, ending a temporary closure of its borders which was imposed in March following the onset of COVID-19 in the country. However, a group of Russian tourists who were scheduled to arrive at the Katunayake airport on the 27th have abandoned the tour. "Another group from Ukraine will be arriving on the 28th and 29th at the Mattala Airport. This is a pilot project," Vice Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services Ltd. added. When journalists raised questions about the fee charged for these flights, Rajiv Suriyarachchi said the Ministers have issued instructions to provide concessions, in keeping with the vision of the Government to convert the Mattala airport into an important airport in the region.