• The first direct flights between SL and France were launched in the 1980s

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya 

Direct flights between Sri Lanka and France resumed yesterday after six years, Tourism Ministry said.

 Accordingly, SriLankan Airlines Flight UL 563 took off at 1.00 am on Sunday from the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France. It takes about 10 hours to travel from Katunayake Airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris, France. 

A simple ceremony was held at the BIA to mark the launch of direct flights between Sri Lanka and France. 
The minister said that SriLankan Airlines will fly from BIA to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and another SriLankan Airlines flight from France to Sri Lanka is scheduled to arrive on the same evening. 

The first direct flights between Sri Lanka and France were launched in the 1980s. Later in 2015, these direct flights were discontinued.  

The Ministry said that SriLankan Airlines has launched direct flights to various destinations around the world on the instructions of Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga and steps were taken to launch direct flights to a number of new destinations in the future.

• SriLankan Airlines will fly from BIA to Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday and another SriLankan Airlines flight from France to Sri Lanka is scheduled to arrive on the same evening