By Kelum Bandara  

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Beijing Dr. Palitha Kohona asked the authorities concerned to step up efforts to attract Chinese tourists for the infusion of foreign exchange, since China relaxed travel restrictions.  

Dr. Kohona told Daily Mirror that the President of the Philippines welcomed Chinese tourists to encourage tourism, and countries such as France and Thailand also did the same.  

He said Sri Lanka should extend hospitality to welcome Chinese tourists following the lead of these countries.  

Asserting that Chinese travellers are high spenders, he said the growth of tourism would boost foreign exchange. For the upcoming spring festival of China, millions of Chinese tourists are expected to go abroad.  

 He said Sri Lanka is unlikely to impose Covid restrictions targeting arrivals from China.