Hon.Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga has stated that the proposed air travel bubble between India and Sri Lanka has not been suspended. He pointed out that it is being implemented with the aim of boosting the tourism industry between the two countries.

The inaugural flight of Kushinagar Airport in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh in order to declare the airport as an international airport was scheduled on the 26th of this month. The flight was organized at the invitation made by the Hon.Prime Minister of India to Sri Lanka for the landing of the first international flight at Kushinagar Airport in India, which has been upgraded to an international airport. Another objective of the flight was to enhance the friendly religious relationship between India and Sri Lanka and to re-create an environment where Sri Lankan devotees could visit Buddhist temples in India. The Minister said that the decision to temporarily postpone the flight to Kushinagar airport was taken due to the prevailing Covid-19 situation in India.

It was decided to launch an air travel bubble between Sri Lanka and India to boost tourism between the two countries. It is expected to resume flights between the two countries under the air travel bubble. Accordingly, the activities of the air travel bubble will be continued, the Minister further stated.