Foreign Ministry’s approval not needed for returnees from overseas– Army Chief

Sri Lankans who are returning to the island from overseas do not need to obtain the approval from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, says the Commander of Army General Shavendra Silva.

The revised quarantine measures issued by the Ministry of Health in March had noted that all incoming passengers or tourists are required to obtain the approval of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and other relevant authorities or from Sri Lanka Tourism.

In a media release, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said, under the directive of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, reviewed the entry procedure was reviewed today (April 06) as a measure of relief for prospective Sri Lankan returnees.

Under the new procedure, Sri Lankans, dual citizens who travel on Sri Lankan passports, spouses and unmarried children of Sri Lankans, who are foreigners, and Sri Lankan seafarers arriving by air will be permitted to enter into Sri Lanka without prior approval of the Foreign Ministry and the Civil Aviation Authority, the media release read further.

The responsibility of maintaining a manageable number of passenger arrivals has however been entrusted with the Civil Aviation Authority, who will, through the respective airlines, regulate the numbers in a manner that would cope with the local capacities of quarantining and other logistics required.

All arriving passengers will be required to strictly adhere to health protocols and guidelines that are effective at the time of arrival.