• Letter sent to Health DG also seeks removal of PPE for vaccinated flight crew 
• Kimarli insists request in line with best practices

By Easwaran Rutnam 

Sri Lanka Tourism Chairperson Kimarli Fernando has sought the further relaxation of Covid guidelines for travellers in line with best practices globally.

In a letter sent to the Director General of Health Asela Gunawardena, the Chairperson of Sri Lanka Tourism has also requested that the mandatory Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for fully vaccinated flight crew be removed. 

Fernando sent the letter from Russia where she is on a visit to promote Sri Lanka for Russian tourists. 
In the letter to Asela Gunawardena, Fernando has requested to remove the requirement of PCR tests 72-hours before boarding the flight for fully vaccinated passengers. 

She has also requested the removal of PCR tests for children below the age of 12 in line with EU regulations. 
Fernando has also requested Gunawardena to allow on-arrival rapid tests for fully vaccinated passengers on the tourist route and to be conducted at the airport. 

Her letter drew strong criticism on social media saying if implemented it could pose a threat to airline crew and also the country. 

“Sri Lanka Tourism has always been responsible. When health permitted arrivals from India, the tourism route was opened for only the fully vaccinated. The requests made are based on best practice,” Kimarli Fernando told Daily Mirror. 

• Requested for the removal of the requirement of PCR tests 72-hours before boarding the flight for fully vaccinated passengers