Lankans arrived during pandemic to get chance to buy duty-free goods: Airports Authority

Sri Lankan passengers, who were unable to purchase duty-free goods on their arrival during the COVID-19 pandemic, would be provided with an opportunity to purchase them in future, Airports Authority Chairman Retired Major General G.A. Chandrasiri said.

He said a total of 13,000 Sri Lankans returned from many countries with the intervention of the Sri Lankan Government, but they were unable to make their duty-free purchases.

"During the pandemic situation, Sri Lanka passengers were not permitted to visit duty-free shops at the airport. Instead, they were directed to quarantine centres," he said.

“Now we are taking measures to recall about 100 passengers a day to the airport to have their opportunity to buy duty-free goods,” he said.

This programme is organised as a joint programme with the officials of the airport, Sri Lanka Customs and Emigration and Immigration Department.

The passengers those who wish to purchase duty-free goods should bring documents including their certificate to prove that they had undergone their COVID-19 quarantine programme, the Passport with a valid visa with them, Mr Chandrasiri said. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama and T.K.G. Kapila)