The Sri Lankan government has announced a reduction in the Embarkation Levy for domestic flights departing from the Ratmalana and Jaffna airports. As reported by Sri Lanka Mirror, the Embarkation Levy for domestic flights departing from Ratmalana has been reduced from LKR 500 to LKR 200, while the Embarkation Levy for domestic flights departing from Jaffna has been reduced from LKR 2,500 to LKR 1,000.

The Embarkation Levy is a fee charged to passengers departing from Sri Lanka's international airports, and this reduction is aimed at encouraging domestic travel within the country. Government officials hope that this reduction will lead to an increase in tourism and economic activity in the regions served by the Ratmalana and Jaffna airports.

This decision follows the government's recent efforts to promote domestic travel and tourism, including a tourism promotion campaign aimed at encouraging Sri Lankan citizens to travel within the country. The reduction of the Embarkation Levy is expected to contribute to the country's post-pandemic economic recovery.

Source: Sri Lanka Mirror - Cheaper Embarkation Levy at Ratmalana, Jaffna Airports.

Trichy Airport to Expand International Routes, Including Flights to Sri Lanka

 Trichy airport in Tamil Nadu, India is considering adding new international routes to its summer schedule, which could include flights to Sri Lanka. According to a report in The New Indian Express, the airport is looking at adding flights to Malaysia, Singapore, and Sri Lanka, among other destinations.

For Sri Lankan travelers, this could mean more convenient and direct access to the Indian city of Trichy, as well as other destinations in the region. Trichy is located in the state of Tamil Nadu, which shares a border with the northernmost province of Sri Lanka, making it a relatively close and accessible destination.

In recent years, Trichy airport has seen significant growth in passenger traffic, with a record high of 3.05 million passengers in the 2021-22 fiscal year. The addition of new international routes could further boost the airport's growth and potentially lead to increased tourism in the region.

Of course, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic remains a concern for travelers, and it's important to stay up-to-date on the latest travel restrictions and safety guidelines. The article notes that Trichy airport has implemented measures to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers, including regular disinfection of facilities and mandatory mask-wearing.

Overall, the prospect of new international routes from Trichy airport is an exciting development for travelers in the region, including those from Sri Lanka. We'll be keeping an eye on this story as it develops and will update you with any further news or updates.

Source: The New Indian Express - Trichy airport's summer schedule may include new international routes