Amid the prevailing COVID-19 situation in India, authorities in Sri Lanka have decided to postpone the launch of Kushinagar-Sri Lanka flight operations, reported Daily Mirror. 

The first international flight which was scheduled to commence between Sri Lanka and Kushinagar, in Uttar Pradesh, an important Buddhist pilgrimage site popular with Sri Lankan pilgrims, on April 26, has been postponed, Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga was quoted as saying by Daily Mirror.

The proposal for the route came from India, soon after the visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. However, it has been now delayed, considering the exploding COVID-19 situation in India.

The route commenced between the two destinations to develop the cordial religious relationship and to attract pilgrims to religious places, the Minister said.

However, the tourism minister clarified the proposed tourist air bubble between India and Sri Lanka has not been suspended.