PCR tests for overseas tourists at BIA from Saturday: Minister

23 September 2021 11:56 am - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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PCR testing facility at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) was declared open today and will commence testing from Saturday (25), Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said a short while ago.

Addressing the ceremony, he said the established PCR testing laboratory will issue reports in three hours for the tourists who arrive at the Katunayake International Airport.

At least 1,000 tourists arrive in the country every day, and each tourist will be charged US$40 by the Tourism Promotions Authority to direct them to the PCR tests at the airport, the Minister said.

This laboratory will be operated under the guidance and regulation of the Health Ministry using technology in line with the international standards.

According to the Minister, this will put an end to the mandatory hotel quarantine process. (Chaturanga Samarawickrama and T.K.G Kapila)

Pix by T.K.G. Kapila

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Comments - 13

Citizen l.k Thursday, 23 September 2021 01:29 PM

Thank you tv channels for highlighting the issues.

Upali Thursday, 23 September 2021 01:36 PM

His statements are not so reliable as what he says will never fulfilled. In a glaring example he promised Sri Lankan migrate workers to be pcr tested at the Airport and released in few hours instead of sending for quarantine for exorbitant expenses. It never happened upto now.

saman Thursday, 23 September 2021 01:45 PM

Prasanna, you have to be careful, Eliyantha White passed away.

Lumbini Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:09 PM

Why charge $40? Should we charge our guests?

Mikey B Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:18 PM

Will then the hotel quarantine option then be scrapped.

Lord Kent Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:43 PM

The Government is now charging foreign guests $100 for a tourist visa!!!!!

Sri Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:45 PM

What About the Srilankans visiting Srilanka and the the Srilankans returning to back.

Hotel owner Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:46 PM

Can you please tell tourists on Government tourist websites that they will no longer need to stay at expensive level 1 hotels but can stay in any hotel they want.

mark Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:49 PM

poor ministern one less income for them.lol

Lion Thursday, 23 September 2021 02:56 PM

This mans thirsty for dollars may bring disaster to this country.

joshua Thursday, 23 September 2021 03:34 PM

he talks different things every day. Tourism is in safe hands of SLPP. Ha haa

Rani Thursday, 23 September 2021 03:43 PM

Now remove the stupid permission tourists need to get from the foreign office to land there. ETA is fine that is a visa. Permission to land for what ? You are asking them to come then putting your parts saying get permission - Maldives welcomes them.

Sethi Banda Friday, 24 September 2021 02:32 AM

Prasanna can see many white flags are waiving at him! Well done Prasanna!!

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PCR tests for overseas tourists at BIA from Saturday: Minister

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