Airport to take measures to reduce congestion at counters.

President Gotabaya Rajapaksa has instructed the management of Bandanayake International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake to manage the congestion in the airport effectively in view of the increasing trend of foreign tourist arrivals into the country.

Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said that the health officials as well as airport officials have taken several steps to curb the congestion at the airport.

These actions were taken following the instructions made by president Gotabaya Rajapaksa as complaints had been lodged regarding congestion of passengers at the airport.

He said that as the health advisories on Sri Lanka have been lifted in several foreign countries in recent weeks, over, 12,000 foreign tourists arrived in the country in recent days. 

Minister Ranatunga said that there have been complaints made regarding congestion at a counter to obtain health statements. This had occurred as there is a shortage of health officials at the counters.

Therefore the minister had called for a meeting with the chairman of the airport and airlines, Rtd Major General G.A Chandrasiri, Director General Health Services, Dr Asela Gunawardena and officials of the airport.

At the meeting, Dr Gunawardena said 30 more Public health officials (PHI) would be stationed at the airport once a new batch joins the service. It was also decided to man the counters by 30 Airport officials until the PHI’s are assigned.

Meanwhile, the airport officials also have made facilities available for air passengers to fill the heath statements online by logging into the airport website.