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Plans afoot to bring tourists to SL with no mingling with locals: Army Chief

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7 January 2021 05:57 pm - 15     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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An effective mechanism is to be introduced to stop the transmission of COVID-19 virus from the visiting tourists to the locals, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said.

Speaking to journalists, he said the recent decision to bring foreigners to Sri Lanka since last December 26, was an experimental move and a pilot project.

“We hope this move would show some positive signs to bring more tourists to Sri Lanka as it vastly facilitates the tourism industry in Sri Lanka,”

“Nearly two million people, who depend on the tourism industry, have been in dire straits for the last eight months without being able to find resources for their living. Hence, we are of the view that bringing tourists to Sri Lanka under a proper mechanism would boost the tourism industry,” Army Commander underlined.

Meanwhile, he said they were also keen on repatriating more Sri Lanka migrant workers and stranded Lankans to the country as instructed by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.   

“We have informed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that the volume of bringing migrant workers and stranded Lankans would be increased,” he said..

“Accordingly, more stranded Lankans would be brought to Sri Lanka on daily basis from Sunday (10),” Army Commander added. (Sheain Fernandopulle)

 


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  Comments - 15

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  • Sam Silva Thursday, 07 January 2021 06:36 PM

    To rescue the two million, you are risking the whole nation.

    Sam Silva Thursday, 07 January 2021 06:39 PM

    There are plenty of employment available in the plantation sector. There is a acute shortage of labor.

    Graham Edmondson Thursday, 07 January 2021 06:48 PM

    I'll wait until things are back to normal before visiting Sri Lanka again. Being shepherded around by officials does not appeal. Part of the joy of visiting Sri Lanka is being able to take train rides or coaches, go shopping by Tutuk, rent a room locally for a night or a week then move on. Fingers crossed that next winter I can leave the UK behind for a month or more with this dreadful virus dealt with.

    Local tourist Thursday, 07 January 2021 06:48 PM

    Silva, are the foreign tourists also bringing their drivers and guides? We can the GPS systems and tourists literature !!!

    German Thursday, 07 January 2021 06:58 PM

    Only tourists from banana countries will travel during a pandemy. We stay at home!

    Aussie Thursday, 07 January 2021 07:01 PM

    Do you really think we want to visit a military dictatorship? Sri Lanka is not the only beautiful country in the world. But anyway for now we stay at home

    Dhilam Thursday, 07 January 2021 07:15 PM

    The sri Lankan government is bankrupt as far as I know its a dictator government no faith or culture

    joshua Thursday, 07 January 2021 07:17 PM

    That means hotel staff also imported?

    Nadaraj Periannen Thursday, 07 January 2021 07:48 PM

    I have been in Chennai,India on a tourist visa from 01st March,2020.I was to return to Colombo on 03rd May 2020.My visa expired on 13th May 2020.My daughters wedding engagement had been fixed for 01st July 2020.I had been lockeddown and had to postpone my daughters engagement. I have already registered with the Srilankan embassy in Chennai and still awaiting repatriation for the last 10 months.My wife had to undergo an eye surgery in Colombo for which I was unable to be with her.I am 69 years old and a disabled senior citizen. O of Srilankan. Of.

    Sambo Thursday, 07 January 2021 08:19 PM

    This is no freedom for the tourists. They need to have freedom to go around and see the country. They don't want to be harassed by rules and regulations. They will need their freedom to move about.

    Anthony . R Thursday, 07 January 2021 08:28 PM

    Jack of All Trades in action again, what a job for Survival . Shame

    Tia Friday, 08 January 2021 04:43 PM

    Hello dear Srilankans (from Europe), - first part: I read your pathetic story around ukraine tourists from 26th of December until now... You are like an ostrich. You must  rear one's head and look at what's going up in the world. Here in Europe everything is closed. We have almost no flights to Europe. Citizens can't go out of the region either from the country, everything stops here... What tourism???? You are silly. And when here will be a better corona situation (in our summer, I hope for spring) then we must travel in our or europinians country, because we must rescue our tourism and our workers in Europe... We will also be safe in Europe in our health system.Look for example the country of Tanzania. They never closed their borders, they have NO restrictions for tourists but from March/April 2020 they have NO foreign tourists! We have no flight. And people don't want to travel... we have many more questions have to survive our every days and next few years...

    Tia Friday, 08 January 2021 04:44 PM

    second part: Traveling in the excotic countries is like a sweet dream for some next days next in the future. Nothing more. Open your eyes!Your government must take care for you - citizens... also about health and financial situations. Stop with corruption! Here government gives all people 700 eur every month! (we are not a rich european country) who can't work because of the coronavirus situation. Here is a much more expensive life like in Sri lanka this amount is like your government gives the citizens 100$ every month  (those who can't work... like tourist workers)! That is the right way to save your people! Not to open the borders for tourists!You have the other problem... in your country works around 3 million persons with tourism but you have less than 2 million tourists per normal year. In my country works in tourism 15 thousand people in/with tourism but we have more than 6 million tourists per normal year. :)))) Funny.

    Shown Friday, 08 January 2021 04:51 PM

    We won't find faults,you build up such a confidence among general public,what ever the responsibility handed to you, it had done maximum satisfaction, wish you well

    Tia Friday, 08 January 2021 06:21 PM

    third part: Next: In our country it is normal to have a family around 2 kids. You must reduce your population growth. In the world is too many people and this is a reason for viruses and other strange diseases. Some days we will eat each other. Take care of your health, your jungle forest and all animals. Take care to have a clean country and beaches. And your government must take financial care for you people! Keep your smiles on the face. Some day in the future will be better. Maybe tourism will go back in normal around 2024. Then I will visit your beautiful country again.Best wishes from Europe!


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