Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, in collaboration with Airport and Aviation Services organized a special ceremony to celebrate 100,000 tourist arrivals from Russian Federation through direct flights. This was held at the BIA on 17^th July by welcoming the passengers and crew arrived by Aeroflot flight from Moscow. A total of 100,298 Russian tourists were brought in to Sri Lanka jointly by Aeroflot, Azur Air and Redwings since 10^th October 2022. As of July, Russia has become the second highest source market for Sri Lanka.  The visitors and invitees were given a warm welcome by Tourism Information Centre officials of SLTPB and were escorted to the   Lotus lounge with a cultural performance by a traditional   dance troupe, which was highly enjoyed by the Russian tourists. The distinguished guests at this occasion included H.E Levan. Dzhagaryan, Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Mr. G.A Chandrasiri, Chairman, Airport and Aviation Services   Mr. Thisum Jayasuriya , Chairman , Sri Lanka Convention Bureau , Mr. Udayanga Weeratunga , Former Sri Lankan  Ambassador to Russia,  along with Mr. Thilak Weerasinghe , (LSR) , Mr. Rushan Fruard , (Exotic Holidays International), Mr. Kamal Deshapriya (Ceylon My dream) who contributed as Industry stakeholders   for this direct flight operations . Captain   Ermolaev Vladmir Vlaimirovich and crew of Aeroflot, together with Tourism and Aviation officials and Media attended this event.

Mr. G.A Chandrasiri , Chairman , Airport and Aviation Services made the welcoming speech and mentioned that with the increase of tourist arrivals  from Russia to Sri Lanka, it shows that the hospitality , culture , and the traditional ways of  Sri Lankan people are accepted by  Russians. He thanked all the Tourism and aviation officials, Industry stakeholders who supported in this endeavor, to make this effort a success.

Mr. Thisum Jayasuriya , Chairman , SLCB also spoke on the occasion, by highlighting that Sri Lanka can now  see a considerable change in the influx of tourist arrivals which is received on a daily basis.

Captain Ermolaev Vladmir Vlaimirovich also expressed his thanks and gratitude to the hospitality shown by the Sri Lankans and how impressive Sri Lanka is as a travel destination.

This initiative is seen as a positive outcome of the continuous efforts done by Sri Lanka Tourism to promote the Russian market, strengthening its Bilateral and Economical ties between the two nations, making Russia one of the most successful economic contributors in enhancing its Tourism. The positive message spread by the Russian passengers will further encourage more Russian tourists to visit Sri Lanka, for their next vacation.