China has suspended sending tour groups to Sri Lanka in the wake of the coronavirus. Officials from the Chinese Embassy confirmed this to Immigration officials during a meeting this week.
A top immigration official said the Chinese officials told them that China has suspended sending tour groups to the country due to the coronavirus issue. They have further said any Chinese tourists and even those traveling to Sri Lanka on official business are being screened for the virus prior to being allowed to travel.
The meeting was held amid complaints that Chinese tourists were being discriminated against due to fears over the virus. Chinese officials had raised concerns that some hotels and business establishments were turning their nationals away. They had assured Immigration officials that such fears were unwarranted.
Meanwhile, the Department of Immigration and Emigration stated that Chinese nationals can still apply to visit Sri Lanka via the 'Free Visa' facility by applying from China itself. However, the On Arrival Visa facility for Chinese nationals remains suspended.
The funeral of arguably the Queen of the Sinhala cinema Malini Fonseka, will be held with state honours on Monday, May 26, 2025, at the Independence Square.
First Bishop of the Batticaloa Diocese, Retired Bishop Joseph Ponnaiya, passed away today at the age of 74, following a brief illness.
The NPP government has been at the wheel for almost 6 months now. The time to keep looking at the rear view mirror and living in the past is about over.
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