The Government is reportedly working on procedures to be implemented following the reopening of the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake.

Chairman of the Airport and Aviation Services (Sri Lanka) Ltd (AASL) G. A. Chandrasiri said they hope to finalize the necessary procedures required for the reopening of the BIA by this week.

A list of countries cleared for tourists to travel to Sri Lanka will be created thereafter, he said.

Chandrasiri said difficulties are faced in forming the list of countries to be cleared for travel due to new developments pertaining to the coronavirus being reported each day from various countries.

As a result of the daily developments, the Government is unable to maintain a confirmed list, he added.

The Government earlier announced that it intends to reopen the BIA for tourists by mid- September.

A few countries are to be cleared for travel to Sri Lanka, while some countries facing severe coronavirus cases, such as the US and India, will be exempted from the list of cleared countries, it added. (Newswire)