Lanka names four more entry points to the country

The information department said that President Mahinda Rajapksa has designated the four entry points in an extraordinary gazette notification.

The newly-opened harbour built with Chinese assistance in Hambantota, besides Norochchoolai and Kankasanthurai in Jaffna and Oluvil in Ampara district are the new additions to country's existing three airports and four sea ports.

The three existing airports are at Colombo, Ratmalana and Palali while the four sea entry points are at Colombo, Galle, Trincomalee and Talaimannar.

However, the Bandaranike international airport in Katunayaka and Colombo harbour are considered as the main entry points to the country at present.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration had opened an office at Norochcholai, the information department said.

It had been made a point of entry as coal was being imported for the power plant there, built with Chinese assistance.

Work at Hambantota where India has opened a new consulate, is being carried out from Galle.

Talaimannar peer, which was one of the busiest entry point to the country before the war will continue to be active as Sri Lanka and India last week entered an agreement to start ferry service between two countries.

Both countries also discussed developing Palali airport and Kankasanthurai port in northern Jaffna as regional aviation hub and trade and commercial hub during India's defence secretary Pradeep Kumar's visit last month.