Dec 20, Colombo: Overseas Sri Lankans, who were stranded in foreign countries due to COVID-18, arriving in Sri Lanka after the 26th December will be able to enter the country without obtaining clearance from the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) Upul Dharmadasa has said.

Earlier, the Sri Lankan nationals were required to obtain permission from the Foreign Ministry before repatriation.

However, all arriving passengers will be subjected to PCR tests, the CAASL Chairman said.

Sri Lanka will resume international flights operations from December 26, eight months after they were closed in view of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Following the reopening of the airport, a group of Russians will arrive in Sri Lanka as the first group of tourists.

CAASL Chairman Upul Dharmadasa said the group was granted permission at the request of the Russian Federation.

Accordingly, about 200 tourists are scheduled to arrive at the Katunayake and Mattala international airports on the 26th.

When tourists arrive in the island, they are subjected to PCR testing at the airport and steps have already been taken to provide them with the necessary accommodation and transport facilities, the official said.

The Chairman said the airport has the facility to perform around 3,500 PCR tests in a day and the number of passengers arriving in the country is limited to a maximum of 3,500 per day.