The Government has paid attention to the re-opening of the airport for tourist arrivals by the second week of January, at a discussion held yesterday regarding the re-opening of the airport, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Tourism and Aviation said on Saturday (Dec. 12).

The discussion was chaired by Basil Rajapaksa, Chairman of the Presidential Task Force in charge of Economic Revival and Poverty Eradication, the Ministry noted.

According to the Tourism and Aviation Ministry, Ministers Prasanna Ranatunga, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Dr. Ramesh Pathirana, and State Minister D.V. Chanaka also participated in the discussion.

A final decision would be taken based on the recommendations of the Ministry of Health regarding the capacity of PCR testing that can be conducted daily for tourists, a high-ranking officer at the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation said.

According to the officer, the number of PCR tests conducted at the airport daily is around 3,000 at present, and based on the prevailing circumstances, a specific date for re-opening the airport for tourists will be announced in the next few days, he further noted.

However, the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation reiterated that the repatriation of Sri Lankans will continue unhindered.