Sri Lanka can commence charter flights from mid-2021, in the post Covid-19 phase said SriLankan Airlines Regional Manager (Southeast Asia) Mohan Meegolla at a meeting at the Foreign Ministry last week.
The meeting was chaired by the Foreign Secretary Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, to discuss the possibility of setting up air connectivity with Myanmar.
Participating in the meeting virtually, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Myanmar Prof. Nalin De Silva said that air connectivity between Sri Lanka and Myanmar has been discussed for a long time due to the significant Buddhist cultural connectivity between both countries. He said that around 300 Buddhist Bikkhus are presently studying in Sri Lanka and there are many Sri Lankan Bikkhus and delegations visiting Myanmar for meditation and other religious purposes. He said that there is immense potential for medical tourism from Myanmar. The Government of Myanmar, Tourism Associations and in particular the President of Myanmar has conveyed his keen interest in establishing air connectivity between the two destinations.
Assistant Director of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau Jeevana Fernando commended the move as an excellent initiative and a timely act as Sri Lanka looks forward to welcome Buddhist tourists to the country, in the post Covid phase. In this regard, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau confirmed their fullest support to carry out an aggressive campaign to promote tourists from Myanmar.
The Foreign Secretary said that initiation of flights to Myanmar will facilitate tourists from both sides and it is timely as Sri Lanka is getting ready to open the airport on 21 January for tourists.
He also said that President Rajapaksa wishes to focus on immediate neighbours in Southeast Asia, in particular. The Foreign Secretary emphasized that Myanmar is one of Sri Lanka’s closest maritime neighbours and there is huge potential to enhance trade links.
The meeting was attended by the Foreign Secretary, Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Myanmar, Prof. Nalin De Silva, State Secretary and officials from the State Ministry of Aviation and Development of Export Zones, Additional Secretary (East), Deputy Legal Advisor and officials of the Foreign Ministry and Officials of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Myanmar, Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and SriLankan Airlines.