Almost 4,000 tourists arrive in SL

• Tourism Development Authority to launch global promotion programme to attract more tourists 

 By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

A total of 3,820 tourists have arrived in the country since the country was open for tourists on January 21 and  the majority of them were from Ukraine, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said.

He said 1,374 Ukrainians, 526 from Kazakhstan and 443 from neighbouring India had arrived during this period.
This was revealed at a meeting held at the Ministry of Tourism to discuss the progress since the opening of the country to tourists.

It was also revealed that five airlines, Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, Salam Air, Jazeera and Gulf Air have agreed to operate direct flights to Sri Lanka.  Three airlines-Air Arabia, Fly Dubai and Salam Air have already started direct flights to Sri Lanka, the minister said. He said dates had been set to launch direct flights with Sri Lanka along with other airlines as well. Meanwhile, Minister Ranatunga said the Katunayake and Mattala airports have made arrangements to ensure that tourists do not face any obstacles upon arrival  at the airport.