(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga says there are no plans to close the country again. He emphasizes that the government will take further action in this regard as per the health guidelines.
He was speaking at a meeting with BBC Global South Asia Manager Rahool Sood and South Asia Marketing Director Vishal Bhatnagar at the Ministry on Friday (03).
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga asked the BBC representatives what their views are on the Katunayake Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). Responding to the Minister, Mr. Rahul Sood said that the work at the airport was done without any delay. He also said that it was very important for the airport to be efficient as it was the first place where a tourist coming to Sri Lanka would get the first impression of the country.
Minister Prasanna Ranatunga stated that the BIA Expansion Project is currently in progress. It is expected to be completed by 2023, when it will be able to handle 15 million arrivals annually, he said.
The BBC representatives expressed their support for the Government’s initiative to promote Sri Lanka as a country to tourists around the world and agreed to support it.
Chairperson of the Tourism Development Authority Kimarli Fernando was also present on the occasion.
