COLOMBO (News 1st); Former Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena says that the suspension of Aeroflot flights to Sri Lanka will be a devastating blow to the tourism of Sri Lanka, that is only just recovering from the Easter Attacks and COVID-19.

In a letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Sirisena said though he is no longer a member of the government in power, it is his obligation to the people to appeal to the Russian President and Government to treat this issue as a wholly judicial matter and not at all as a decision taken by the State.

He also said that Sri Lanka will need all the help and support from her trusted friends, and the help of Russia will be critical.

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