TOURISM BODY CONCERNED OVER UKRAINIAN VISIT

by Zulfick Farzan 04-01-2021 | 4:56 PM

Colombo (News 1st); The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority claims it was only aware of the Ukrainian tour group's visit excursions to Mirissa for Whale watching and Yala, following media reports.

In a letter to the Ministry of Tourism, SLTDA said the agreement at the Task Force Meeting was for the tour organisers to provide SLTDA detailed itineraries in advance, including details of the drivers and guides who would be involved in these excursions to be relayed to the regional health authorities for screening and quarantine purposes.

It added the Director-General of Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority has tried to obtain the necessary information in this regard from the travel agents to no avail.

The letter states the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority came to know that private boats were taking the tourists for whale watching and 28 safari jeeps had taken them inside Yala.

However, to this moment SLTDA had not received any of the above information from the promoter of this project nor the Travel Agents concerned, it added.

The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority said it is gravely concerned and seek the Ministers urgent intervention as when it

requested information it was informed that the promoter is working with the Presidential Task Force.