The Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka gave the ‘thumbs up’ for Sri Lanka tourism and requested all citizens of Russia and neighbouring countries to visit Sri Lanka and not to travel to any other European country.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka Levan S. Dzhagaryan told Sunday Observer Business that Sri Lanka is a safe destination to travel to and is a paradise for tourism and they should visit Sri Lanka rather than travel to any other neighbouring destinations.
He said that Russia has launched several new airlines to Colombo and Mattala airports and now there are several flights between the two countries.
Despite the prevailing situation in Russia, the national carrier Aeroflot resumed operation while Azur Air charter flights operates from four main cities in Russia (Moscow, St. Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk and Novosibirsk). Further, the Red Wings Airline operates to Mattala Airport.
All these flights commence their operation at the beginning of the winter 2022 and 2023.
“Due to these efforts for the first time in Sri Lanka travel history Russia has become the number one source market for Sri Lankan tourism in the past two years.”
Russia was also among the first countries in the world to send tourists soon after opening Sri Lanka borders after the C -19 pandemic.”
He, however, said that the Russian air frequency may reduce during off season, but will pick up once again when the season begins towards the latter part of this year.
He said that the Russian Government had also forwarded a proposal to the government to build a nuclear plant in Sri Lanka.
“We are waiting for the Sri Lankan Government to give a response to proceed.”
The Ambassador also said that business between the two countries are also progressing and they are also actively promoting tea imports to Russia from Sri Lanka and other investment opportunities.
During his visit to kandy he visited two leading temples and met the Mahanayaka Thera and Governor of Central province Lilith U. Gamage with whom he also discussed the promotion of tourism.