Harin Fernando: Latest News

COLOMBO (News 1st) ; The first group of Chinese tourists to arrive via direct flight to Sri Lanka following the COVID-19 pandemic reached the Katunayake Airport on Wednesday (1) night.Accordingly, 125 Chinese tourists reached Sri Lanka from Guangzhou aboard a SriLankan Airlines flight at 11:10 PM.Tourism Minister Harin Fernando, State Foreign Minister Tharaka Balasuriya, and Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong welcomed them to Sri Lanka.From the 1st of April, 9 direct flights will operate between China and Sri Lanka per week.China was a leading source market for inbound tourism to Sri Lanka and one of SriLankan’s premier leisure traveller segments before the pandemic, and SriLankan is positioning for a strong comeback in China upon its return.With Chinese travellers eager to make up for lost time in globetrotting, SriLankan will be working closely with the local travel trade to reignite enthusiasm for Sri Lanka as a leisure destination in China. 

COLOMBO (News 1st) –  Minister of Tourism and Lands Harin Fernando said that a new mobile application will be introduced for the safety of tourists coming to Sri Lanka while promoting the tourism industry.The Minister stated the above at the Ministerial Consultative Committee on Tourism and Lands held recently (30) at the Parliament.The Minister said he hopes to use this mobile application in January.The Minister further explained that through this application, tourists can be allowed to check their location, and if they get lost or need to take some safety measures, they can access the app for instructions.The Minister also said that for the safety of tourists, a tourist police team will be stationed at every beach with tourist attractions.Harin Fernando also mentioned that it is planned to bring 1.5 million tourists to Sri Lanka, especially in the year 2023.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka is planning on introducing a Fuel Pass for foreign travelers visiting Sri Lanka.Sri Lanka's Minister of Tourism, Harin Fernando says that a new scheme to issue a Fuel pass for foreign travelers visiting Sri Lanka will be in effect from Wednesday (5)He said the Tourism Ministery will speak to Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekara and issue a new fuel pass system for tourists."This means that they can refuel from any filling station, the tap and go system is what we are launching," the Minister told Parliament on Wednesday (5).

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Former Minister of Public Security Rear Admiral (Retired) Sarath Weerasekera on Tuesday (19) said that the vehicle that was supposedly used by terrorist Zaharan Hashim was attached to the Police Special Task Force, after it was confiscated by the state.He was responding to SJB Parliamentarian Harin Fernando, who cited a tweet by a journalist that claimed Ex-Minister Sarath Weerasekera was using the Land Cruiser that was originally used by Zaharan Hashim of the NTJ.“I spoke to the Secretary of the Ministry of Public Security after I was made aware of it this morning.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Opposition Lawmaker Harin Fernando has called on parliament to appoint his Samagi Jana Balavegaya colleague Dr. Harsha De Silva as President for at least six months.“If there is absolutely no one, appoint Dr.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Opposition Lawmaker Harin Fernando, who represents the Samagi Jana Balavegaya, says he will retire when he is 60.“It does not matter if I won or lose or even become the Prime Minister. I will go home when I am 60,” he said.Fernando elaborating on his statement said if public servants are allowed to retire at the age of 60, the politicians also must be told to retire at the same age.“There are those in their 70s and 80s in Parliament.