Sri Lanka, March 3 -- A total of 205 flights - 107 arrivals and 98 departures - have been cancelled due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka stated.

A special meeting was held today (03) at the Ministry premises to assess the current impact on the aviation sector. According to the Subject Minister, steps have been taken to extend visas for tourists stranded in Sri Lanka, covering the duration of their stay. Meanwhile, all airlines have agreed to refund cancelled tickets in full and allow rebooking on other flights without additional charges, the Minister added.

Flights to Europe have resumed via alternative routes bypassing Middle Eastern airspace, but due to higher fuel c...