Nearly 2,600 Ukranian tourists to arrive in SL till Jan.19

1 January 2021 05:10 am - 22 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Nearly 2600 tourists from the Ukraine are scheduled to arrive in Sri Lanka during the one month pilot project which hasn been launched by the tourism sector in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority and other stakeholders, and will end on Jan. 19, sources from the Civil Aviation industry told Daily Mirror yesterday.

The pilot project which commenced from Dec.28 has already welcomed over 300 Ukranian tourists out of which 6 have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and are being treated at centers set up at their hotels where they are staying.

While authorities have said there will be no halt in the program, 10 charter flights are expected to ,bring down the Ukranians till Jan.19 which will result in nearly 2600 tourists arriving here under a strict travel bubble.

Upon their arrival at the Mattala Rajapaksa International Airport, the tourists will undergo PCR tests and will then be driven to their hotels, where they will undergo a quarantine for 7 days. Sources said on the seventh day, the groups will undergo another PCR test and only once all reports are cleared can they begin their tour under the travel bubble.

No tourist will be allowed to leave their hotels or step out of the buses when being taken to their destination. As part of the travel bubble, the tourists can only visit Bentota, Koggala and Beruwala.

Civil Aviation sources said that in addition to the charter flights from Ukraine, if any other airline wants to land here with a tour group, they will be given the approval only once permission is obtained by the health authorities. This will remain in effect till Jan.19, afterwhich the situation will be reviewed if the airports can re-open for all tourists.

Meanwhile, former ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga who has been on the forefront in organizing the arrival of the Ukranian tourists under the pilot project yesterday slammed criticism the pilot project had faced after 6 Ukranians tested positive for the virus.

In a post on his Facebook page, Weeratunga said the government would go ahead with the pilot project despite some Ukranians testing positive as this project will not just help the hotels but will also benefit all those involved in the tourism industry.

He further said this pilot project will also strengthen ties between Ukraine and Sri Lanka.

The pilot project has received severe criticism on social media since 6 Ukranians tested positive for the virus, with many social media users questioning the government as to why they wanted the additional patient load at a time when several countries were closing borders again in fear of the new strain of the virus.(JAMILA HUSAIN)

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Comments - 22

lal Friday, 01 January 2021 08:06 AM

Give Damika Paniya to them and increase their immunity

Justice seeker Friday, 01 January 2021 08:21 AM

Who cares about Corona or the country? Nepotism is at its best. Those who know what goes on beyond the sight of the public can understand the secret.

REEZ Friday, 01 January 2021 08:22 AM

Give Paniya to the COVID-19 positive tourist. Ha! Ha!

Jeeves Friday, 01 January 2021 08:30 AM

This will be a game of Russian roulette! With every round of tourists who knows how many have/ will develop Covid, and if they have the variant strain?

SarangaDS Friday, 01 January 2021 08:33 AM

Never should have waivered the airport tax! This pilot scheme is a huge risk, so should maximise revenue at the very least.

Sokrates Friday, 01 January 2021 08:34 AM

We will welcome the virus with dancers and we will be happy when the Ukrainians spend much of their "strong" currency the hrywnja.

Lasith Friday, 01 January 2021 08:36 AM

6 Covid positive in 300 tourists so far. So, how many can we expect in a total of 2600? And who pays their medical fees?

K. Ranaweera Friday, 01 January 2021 08:38 AM

Mr. Udayanga do not create another unwanted imMIGration problem pernicious to Sri Lanka.

mp Friday, 01 January 2021 08:58 AM

Please tell them to bring more COVID infected people as tourists. Then the Health Ministry may call it "Tourist Cluster".

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 01 January 2021 09:00 AM

Don't Complain, 70% of Sinhalese idiots voted for this, dang sapada?

Patrick paul Friday, 01 January 2021 09:37 AM

Please help our own citizens sighalese tamils and mulims .dont bring tourist at this time .wait intil covid is over please send them back with a sorry

Dee Friday, 01 January 2021 09:45 AM

Message shows clear arrogance. Congratulations to the 'vice' (not wise) majority of Sri Lanka!

Siribiris Friday, 01 January 2021 10:30 AM

All know who will be benefited by bringing these ukrainians. Certain family's pockets will be filled and overflowed.

Sinnan c Friday, 01 January 2021 11:23 AM

welcome to Third wave Corona with dollars

Eichmann Bernhard (Germany) Friday, 01 January 2021 12:50 PM

And they bring the virus with them.

Philo Friday, 01 January 2021 12:50 PM

Why choose Ukranian tourists while their country is recording close to ten thousand new cases and 250 deaths per day? Perhaps Russia is creating a new market for its Sputnik vaccine?

Eichmann Bernhard (Germany) Friday, 01 January 2021 02:03 PM

The ministry says the airport is still closed. How can it be that the newspaper writes it come Ukrainians.????

sudumal Friday, 01 January 2021 03:12 PM

Corona free of charge..! Thank you SRI LANKA..!

d.senayaya Friday, 01 January 2021 03:33 PM

About 2000 to 10000 will have to be quarantined at the current progress of infection. If we look at say 8000 approx who need to be normally paid at lest 1000 rs a day then business will make a profit of at least 100 Million by not paying them while they being kept quarantined for 14 days. This days we need to able to save every rupee we can so this is an excellent business. As a businesses owner this is excellent. So look at at how many billions we can save if we bring at least a 100000 tourists.

Samson Friday, 01 January 2021 03:50 PM

Good project to increase the numbers sick.

Isaac Friday, 01 January 2021 04:12 PM

The third wave is on it's way!

Lumbini Saturday, 02 January 2021 05:49 AM

We all know who Weerathunga is.

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Nearly 2,600 Ukranian tourists to arrive in SL till Jan.19

Comments - 22

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