Colombo's international airport, the BIA, has issued a warning to passengers who carry Galaxy Note 7 smart phones to take precautions due to the safety hazards of the phone.

According to the instructions, they have to carry such devices in their carry-on baggage and they have to switch them off while on board.

Earlier this month, Samsung Electronics recalled all Galaxy Note 7 smartphones equipped with batteries it has found to be fire-prone and halted their sales in 10 markets, denting a revival of the firm's mobile business.

Koh Dong-jin, head of the South Korean company's smartphone business, declined to comment on how many phones needed to be replaced, but said Samsung had sold 2.5 million of the premium devices so far.