Inbound flights to be limited to one a day

16 September 2020 09:15 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 18 Bookmark

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The Government is considering limiting the number of flights arriving in Sri Lanka to one a day as more and more arrivals test positive for the coronavirus.

Army Commander, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said that President Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa are keen to bring back Sri Lankans who wish to return to the country.

However, he said with the latest developments they might be compelled to limit it to one flight a day.

The Army Commander said that Sri Lankans overseas will also be informed that with more and more arrivals being detected with the virus certain limitations on arrivals will likely be enforced.

He said that it is the responsibility of the Sri Lankan authorities to ensure the coronavirus is kept out of Sri Lanka.

The Commander was speaking to reporters yesterday (Tuesday) after evaluating ongoing Army orientation training programmes at Panagoda.

On Sunday 39 arrivals tested positive for the coronavirus in Sri Lanka while on Monday 26 returnees were detected with the virus.

Most arrivals who have tested positive for the virus are returnees from the Middle East. (Easwaran Rutnam)

Comments - 18

BigEars Wednesday, 16 September 2020 09:58 AM

Although this joker barges about world class COVID-19 control, Sri Lanka is not on the International news. Why? We are only prised by WHO who messed everything.

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Buffalo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:59 AM

Well Said

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Sarah Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:14 AM

Does this mean it will be even longer for the airport to open for non-citizens? This is really unfair! I have loved ones I have been waiting to see in Sri Lanka...but can’t till the airport opens!

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S Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:38 AM

Well atleast ur loved ones in Sri Lanka are alive cos we have managed to keep the virus out...any chance u can look past the end of ur nose ?

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Buffalo Wednesday, 16 September 2020 10:58 AM

The only country which blocked own citizens from entering is Sri Lanka that's why we are not in the world news for goodwill. This is what majority wanted so enjoy

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Sean pala Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:13 AM

I am a Sri Lankan Stuck overseas and am not willing to take a repatriation flight as I feel it's riskier and I don't want to take a chance. Can't wait to get back to my family, looks like it's going to take longer. As disappointing as it is, I hope the government is also taking measures to safeguard the industries amidst the piling debt, horrendous cost of living, and all-time high unemployment. Was hoping the rupee will stabilize after the elections and looks like that's going south too

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PS Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:20 AM

What is this ? Please open the airport for other travellers also, limiting one flight a day, mean agony, sufferings of many will longer on

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Roger Galpihilla (Germany) Wednesday, 16 September 2020 11:28 AM

Have serious doubts about the testing methods used. A painful and torturous method of inserting a tube into people's nose is not done anywhere else in the world.

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TJ Wednesday, 16 September 2020 12:11 PM

The fact of the matter is, the deceision taken to limit the flights is in order to avoid the sudden influx of the middle eastern workers who are in real distress. The number of infection is unbelievable as all of them are boarded into the flight after carrying our PCR test within the timelimit specified by the airlines.

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Guruge Senaka Wednesday, 16 September 2020 02:26 PM

Most of the Middle Eastern airports are transit hubs. Sri Lankans living all over the world, get the connecting flight from Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Qatar. Finally, the local media says those who are arriving from the Middle East are infected, which is not right at all.

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JAMES DAVID CAMPBELL Wednesday, 16 September 2020 02:47 PM

Say good-bye to any hope that tourism will pick up this year. Why does the government not use some common sense and open 1 airport for repatriation flights and BIA for tourists? Help the tourism industry don't kill it off!

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Siri Biris Wednesday, 16 September 2020 02:49 PM

This is ridiculous...citizens barred from entering there motherland ....EXCUSE ME !! Other countries are accepting there citizens with or without C19 and the minister says airport is not closed...this pandemic will go on for a long time and we must learn to live with it.

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roni Wednesday, 16 September 2020 03:29 PM

Not too long ago we had a guy named Ranatunge saying the airport will be open on 01st of August may he was referring to same date in 2022. Now same guuy says health authorities clearance is needed ,why the change in stance.

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ISMa Wednesday, 16 September 2020 05:21 PM

all stupid comments, go around anywhere in the country without any issues due to this preventive measures. think with your brain not with the heart. if Sri Lanka gets flooded with the virus that will be masses of 20 million people. not just few thousands.

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PS Wednesday, 16 September 2020 05:41 PM

1 flight a day (bullshit) Keep it close for forever

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Shan Wednesday, 16 September 2020 05:45 PM

Sri Lanka is clever at hiding the true extent of the virus like China. There is accountability in developed countries. I would not want to return to SL.

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Gajaman Nona Wednesday, 16 September 2020 06:04 PM

Why doesn't the government insist on a PCR test done 3 days before the flight as a mandatory requirement for boarding the flight. This way you stop most of the infected people from getting on the flights.

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Sajeewa Thursday, 17 September 2020 10:53 AM

Very sad on the situation in Sri Lanka. With new parliament / government people had hope but it seems useless. Now SL moves backsword than YAHAPLANAYA. Countries like Bangladesh with average experts kept country open. They while managing the Covid19 situation recording an economy growth (ADB). SL keeping country closed since 17th March, without having proper process in handling issues cropping up due to Covid19, just boasting we are the best. People’s attention has been distracted with Media Shows on ceasing underworld / drugs. Very sad…

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