The PCR laboratory in Katunayake, which issues PCR testing results of Sri Lankan migrant workers and inbound tourists in three hours, commenced its testing yesterday. Accordingly, the first PCR tests were carried out on 53 passengers arrived from EK 652 Emirates flight which arrived in Sri Lanka from Dubai at 06.30 p.m. yesterday (25). Among them were Sri Lankan expatriates and tourists as well. Steps were taken to issue the PCR results of the first batch in less than three hours and to send the relevant reports to their mobile phones.
Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga submitted a Cabinet Memorandum on July 9, seeking cabinet approval for the construction of the laboratory, which was approved by the President, H.E.Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Prime Minister, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa and Minister of Finance, Hon. Basil Rajapaksa. The PCR laboratory with an investment of US $ 5 million was built as a joint project between the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd and Hospinorm Company. The construction works of this PCR laboratory began on July 23.
The laboratory, which can conduct 500 PCR tests per hour and 7000 PCR tests per day, was constructed at the18th mile post in Katunayake area and was declared open by Minister of Health, Hon. Keheliya Rambukwella and Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga on the 23rd. Although it was initially targeted at inbound tourists, it was later decided to conduct PCR testing on migrant workers as well. Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has agreed to pay the charges on behalf of Sri Lankan migrant workers returning to home who have registered with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) and left for foreign employments. The discussion was chaired by Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga, Minister of Labour, Hon.Nimal Siripala de Silva and State Minister of Foreign Employment, Hon. Piyankara Jayaratne.
Minister of Tourism Prasanna Ranatunga, Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd, Major General (Retired), G.A. Chandrasiri, Vice Chairman, Mr. Rajiv Sooriyarachchi and other officials were present at the airport to observe the PCR testing process carried out for the passengers of the Dubai flight that arrived in Sri Lanka at 6.30 p.m. yesterday. The entire process from the passenger’s arrival terminal to issuing the PCR testing reports was thoroughly inspected by the Minister of Tourism and he advised the relevant officials on certain procedures.
Responding to questions posed by journalists, Minister of Tourism, Hon. Prasanna Ranatunga said that this PCR laboratory is very important for tourists and Sri Lankans. The Minister said that steps are being taken to update the existing travel restrictions to attract more tourists and added that the laboratory was built as per a policy decision of the government. The Minister further said that the government has been working for this since last July and this was done on the need to do so in a correct manner in rebuilding the country which had collapsed due to Covid pandemic.
"We are fighting against an invisible enemy. We can not act as we think here. This should be done very carefully. Now we started this. Quick solutions cannot be found for pandemics. We are concerned about the practical issues that may arise in the future. Accordingly, if problems arise, we will continue to find practical solutions to them,” the Minister said.
