First impressions of Sri Lanka at the airport

They say a country's gateway provides travelers or visitors a first impression of the country. The following few photos and my observations pretty much describes my first impressions.

Upon clearing immigration, travelers are greeted by duty free stores lining up along the corridor to the baggage claim area

These were mostly shops selling liquor/alcoholic drinks and appliances.

The previous observations on duty free shops showed me what were popular items for returning Sri Lankans who likely wanted to get something upon their arrival to bring to their families. Those included household appliances like TVs, stereos, refrigerators and washing machines, and souvenir items like whiskey and brandy that would be something to share with families and friends (for celebrating their return). This seems to me as a scene from the Philippines at Manila's international airport in the 1980s and 1990s when overseas foreign workers (OFWs) returned from abroad to take their vacations from their work there. Cigarettes, liquor and appliances were also popular at the airport where the prices of these items were significantly lower due to their being duty or tax free. Perhaps the only other item as popular for returning Filipinos at the airport were chocolates balikbayans (returning Filipinos) bought for their children.

That said, allow me to add another impression made upon deplaning at the Bandaranaike International Airport. Instead of heading towards the terminal, we deplaned on the tarmac and was taken to the terminal by bus/transporter. This was much like the local airlines at NAIA Terminal 3 where domestic flights were commonly served by transporters connecting aircraft with the terminal. As one colleague traveling with me observed - parang sa atin lang (it's just like in our country) - upon seeing a bus waiting to take us to the terminal as we deplaned.

Passengers deplaning from our Sri Lankan  Airlines plane

A view of passengers deplaning from the rear door of the plane to an awaiting bus

Another view from the bus of passengers and crew deplaning from the front door

More on Sri Lanka soon!
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