Reopening of BIA only after repatriation process completed

10 July 2020 03:42 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 9 Bookmark

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The reopening of the Bandaranaike International Airport will be considered only after the repatriation process of Sri Lankans abroad is completed, a task that will take at least three more weeks, an official said yesterday.

Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd Chairman Maj.Gen (Retired) G.A. Chandrasiri told the Daily Mirror that it would take a minimum three weeks to complete the repatriation process.

He said it might even take longer than that depending on the circumstances. “Only after the repatriation process is completed, the government will consider reopening the BIA,” he said.

Earlier, the government announced that there were more than 40,000 Sri Lankans abroad seeking repatriation. (Kelum Bandara)

Comments - 9

Noname Friday, 10 July 2020 07:24 AM

If the good general plans to complete repatriation process in 3-4 weeks while bringing less than 300 people a day, I wonder how many of 50,000 people who want to return he plans repatriate!

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Sunjith Friday, 10 July 2020 09:14 AM

Is that 3 weeks from today or from 1 August? They need to give a clear date to tourists and Sri Lanka businesses

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Sam Friday, 10 July 2020 09:31 AM

Why is the Mattala airport not used for repatriation? Surely the more remote location makes it ideal rather than bringing those potentially infected back to the middle of Colombo.

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janaka Friday, 10 July 2020 09:40 AM

All this to stop people coming in to Vote for the General Election , Government wants to rig the votes to win the election ,No plans to complete repatriation process in 3-4 weeks , This guy talking bullshit

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VJ Friday, 10 July 2020 10:01 AM

OMG what will happen to all those tourists who are packed and ready to visit SL?

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NoName2 Friday, 10 July 2020 11:46 AM

It doesn’t take a dumb person to understand that they are only delaying opening airport till election is over. Government doesn’t want to open the airport earlier and deal with any outrage over a spike in imported cases. Face it.. COVID cases will never be zero till a vaccine is available.

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Anna Friday, 10 July 2020 01:11 PM

Maybe they should stop repatriating people that only want to come visit the family and a couple weeks later leave again...

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Lokka Friday, 10 July 2020 03:18 PM

It will be closed until the next presidential election.

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Samson Friday, 10 July 2020 06:35 PM

repatriation may extend for months, so no air traffic hopefully this year.

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