Cabinet approves relief to tourist industry

13 June 2020 12:03 am - 12 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Cabinet has decided to provide relief to the tourist industry in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa said.

He said this at a discussion held at Temple Trees on the problems faced by the tourist and hotel industries and on how best to resuscitate the tourist industry once more.

The discussion highlighted on many important points including tourist visa payment, provision of necessary facilities to local tourists, procedures to be followed in opening the country to foreign tourists and establishing a fund to strengthen the tourist industry.

The Prime Minister instructed the officials to maintain the tourist visa payment at US$35. (Thisari Walawege)

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Comments - 12

Expired Saturday, 13 June 2020 04:57 AM

Mahinda have you not learnt the lesson yet? Your USE BY DATE is well past (EXPIRED). You got rejected in 2015. Ask the question why? Back again to hoodwink the people.

Mk Saturday, 13 June 2020 05:35 AM

HON. PRIME MINISTER TOURISM WILL STARTS END OF THIS YEAR ONLY. UNTIL THEN PLEASE DO NOT SPEND MONEY UNNECESSARILY. AS PER I A T A. FLIGHT RESUMES FULLY OPERATIONAL START OF 2021.

Sarah Saturday, 13 June 2020 06:21 AM

Glad it will go back to US$35, couldn’t believe when I saw them hike it to $100 in the proposal...they should be doing everything they can to bring people back!

Chux Saturday, 13 June 2020 08:40 AM

Can be a another joke prior to the election

johan Saturday, 13 June 2020 11:30 AM

First release the money to the relevant authorities without giving false promises like it was told March,April Electricity water bills will be borne by Govt. but now CEB ,Water Board officials going house to house and pressing to pay and warning them service will be disconnected otherwise.

TONY Saturday, 13 June 2020 11:46 AM

HO GREAT YOU HAVE STARTED YOUR ELECTION CAMPAIGN

Latley Gunasekera Saturday, 13 June 2020 02:07 PM

Due to our hopeless quality of service and the arrogance,Sri Lanka is not in the pole positions after Corona to attract the high end spenders.As a person who travel in south Asian countries seeking 5 star facilities , SL is not a option.It will be a uphill task for us in tourist industry resuscitations .

Bernhard Eichmann Saturday, 13 June 2020 02:35 PM

Foreign governments should be informed and the embassies in the countries should be informed. The government has not been informed and the embassy in Berlin (Germany) has refused to do so. The embassy in Berlin also refuses to give German citizens detailed information

dickie bird Saturday, 13 June 2020 04:15 PM

Why is Mahinda Rajapakshe selling the Country cheap to the Tourists by reducing the Visa fees to $35????? My Country is rich in value. Are we looking for bankrupt back packing cheap skate tourists by valuing the Country cheap?? MAINTAIN THE VISA FEES AT US $100. If MR can not figure a way out or think outside the box to maintain the Visa fees at $ 100, then he must retire and retreat to medamudalana.

Bernhard Eichmann Saturday, 13 June 2020 06:19 PM

Then you, your people, family and the land would sell to others who have a lot of money and power.

Nad Saturday, 13 June 2020 08:18 PM

Aus NZ travel advice Do not go overseas. A travel ban is in place. They protect their citizens, safety first! In Sri Lanka isn't it too early to open?

Mandayan Sunday, 14 June 2020 03:07 AM

British tourists opted Sri Lanka over India was because of their ridiculous VISA fee. At a time it was £150, charged by the third-party agents through which Indian High Commissions issued visas. Sri Lanka was charging less or no fee. Now the Indians realized their folly and corrected it by reducing the fee and make it online, similer to SL. A lesson to be learned?

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Cabinet approves relief to tourist industry

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