The delegation, that consisted of tour operators, agents, and senior editors representing influential media institutions, spent six nights and seven days touring the country while being subjected to mandatory PCR testing and other health guidelines imposed by the Ministry of Health.

The delegation had toured the most sought-after local tourist sites including Dambulla, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, and Bentota.

According to national carrier SriLankan Airlines, which facilitated the tour, the objective of the familiarization tour was to restore confidence in visiting Sri Lanka and provide an in-depth knowledge on the operation of the bio-bubble concept.

India yesterday alone reported 273, 802 new COVID-19 cases and 1,619 fatalities. Due to a sharp increase in the number of  cases, a seven day lockdown, starting tonight, has been imposed in New Delhi until next Monday, 26 April.

Strict lockdown-like restrictions have also been imposed in Maharashtra, whereas in Gujarat, experts have called for a 15-day self-imposed lockdown.