The Ministry of Tourism has decided to allow Indian tourists to enter Sri Lanka from September 01.

According to ministry officials, Indians who have been fully vaccinated (both doses) for COVID19 will be allowed to enter Sri Lanka without any hindrance from next week. During his address to the nation last week, President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa emphasized the need to resume activities in the tourism industry as tens of thousands of people involved in the sector are severely affected due to the pandemic.

The flights will be operated to three destinations from September 01 onwards. There will be four flights a week to Chennai, three flights to Mumbai and one flight to Bangalore.

The deicision, however, has caused severe concerns among some sections in the heath sector. They have asserted that Sri Lanka should not resume tourism in a reckless manner given the severity of the pandemic.