Jan 10, Colombo: Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said today (10) that no decision has been taken to stop bringing tourists from Ukraine.

Speaking to media, the Minister added that the decision to stop bringing tourists from Ukraine or any other country to the island should be taken by the Covid Committee and the health authorities.

Currently, only tourists from England are temporarily barred from entering the country and therefore, tourists can be brought in from any country except England during the period of the pilot project on opening the country for foreign tourists, the Minister said.

Speaking further, Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said the airport will be opened for commercial flights after the 21st January.

“We have created new guidelines based on the Health Guidelines issued to travelers by the World Health Organization and International Civil Aviation Organization. The health authorities in our country have studied all these very carefully and have developed a guideline for tourists. According to that guideline, anyone can bring tourists.”

“Every tourist visiting this country should follow the country's health guidelines. We have made it very clear to the relevant tourism organizers. We will closely monitor the process of attracting tourists to this country,” he added.