A letter sent by Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority Chairman Kirmali Fernando to Health Services Director General Dr. Asela Gunawardena with recommendations to promote tourism during the pandemic has drawn severe criticism from many quarters.

Fernando, in her letter, has requested the Health Services Director General to;

1) Remove wearing of PPE requirement for flight crew who are fully vaccinated 2) Remove the requirement of PCR test 72 before boarding for fully vaccinated 3) Remove PCR for children 12 years and below in line with EU regulations 4) Allow on arrival rapid test for fully vaccinated passengers at the airport

Fernando has written the letter from Russia where she is attending a travel fare with Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya.

In her letter, Fernando stated that she had discussed the matter with stakeholders of the tourism industry in Russia, including the media and a number of key influencers.

Russia, Fernando says, is a key source market for tourism in Sri Lanka with nearly 25% of the population fully vaccinated against COVID19.