July 01, Colombo: Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Limited, retired Major General GA Chandrasiri said the repatriated Sri Lankans will be given the opportunity to purchase duty-free items when their quarantine is completed.

The Sri Lankans, who were stranded in various countries due to the sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and repatriated, were deprived of the opportunity to purchase duty free goods at the airport when they returned to the country.

The government has brought back about 13,000 Sri Lankans stranded in different countries and under the conditions prevailed when they returned they lost the opportunity to purchase duty free items at the airport.

However, measures will be taken to bring about 100 repatriated Sri Lankans a day to the airport and give them the opportunity to make purchases at the duty free shops at the airport, the Chairman said.

He said the program is organized by the airport authorities in cooperation with the officials of Sri Lanka Customs and Immigration and Emigration Department.

The Chairman of the airport, GA Chandrasiri said the repatriated Sri Lankan passengers should produce the quarantine certificate issued by the health authorities after completion of quarantine, passport and some other documents to the airport.

However, Mr. Chandrasiri added that a detailed press release will be issued in the next few days through the public media