Quarantine concerns under "pilot tourism" project

COLOMBO (News1st): Opposition groups have raised concerns on the quarantine process in Sri Lanka's "pilot tourism project" involving Ukrainian tourists amidst COVID-19. The project headed by Sri Lanka's former ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, has drawn stiff objection due to the preferential treatment of the tourists and the former envoy. Weeratunga was seen with Ukrainian tourists brought down under the pilot project but has not undergone quarantine as required by the law, rights activists say. "While Ukranian tourists continue to tour the country and Udayanga Weeratunga enjoys on the beach, the people are in fear," Sunil Handunnetti, the chairman of the Ethera Api Organzation said. But safari jeep drivers at the Yala national park involved in transporting the tourists have been subjected to quarantine, he added. "The jeep drivers were directed to quarantine. They are daily wage earners." The government has defended the project citing it as a move that will assist the tourism industry that has been hit since Sri Lanka banned tourists due to the pandemic in March last year. Five Ukrainians had tested positive for the virus after arriving in the country. "That was always a possibility. Visas were provided only when their PCR tests produced a negative result," S.B. Dissanayake, a government lawmaker said. He added that the government will remain committed to protect the tourism industry that is a main source of the country's income.