• The decision had been taken considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka

All passenger arrivals into Sri Lanka will be suspended from midnight on May 21 to midnight on May 31, the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) Chairman Upul Dharmadasa said. 

During the above mentioned restricted period, the following will be permitted:  

1. Aircraft Departures with passengers originating from BIA/MRIA.  
2. Aircraft Emergency Diversions to BIA/MRIA.  
3. Freighter Operations and humanitarian flights to BIA/MRIA.  
4.Technical landings at BIA/MRIA.  
5. Inbound ferry flights (without passengers) at BIA/MRIA.  
6. Passengers transiting at BIA/MRIA for less than 12 hours with a confirmed ticket destined to an onward destination.  

Meanwhile, Aviation and Investment Zone Development State Minister D.V. Chanaka speaking to Daily Mirror said that the decision had been taken considering the prevailing COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka and in an effort to curb the further spread of the virus in the country.  “All international airports will be informed of this regard by the Civil Aviation Authority,” he said.