Seven flights to ten countries to repatriate Lankans

• Flights arranged from this week to 7 July
• Number of locals seeking return climbs past 52,000 in 117 countries 
• Over 9,500 repatriated but FM assures efforts to assist ongoing  

Seven flights have been arranged to repatriate Sri Lankans living in ten countries over the next two weeks as those seeking to return topped 52,000, an official said yesterday.  Foreign Relations Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, briefing the Cabinet on Wednesday, said 52,401 Sri Lankans in 117 countries have made requests to return to Sri Lanka by 16 June. 

However, only about 9,580 Sri Lankans have been repatriated to Sri Lanka from 38 countries so far. As the next step, ten flights have been arranged from 24 June to 7 July to repatriate Sri Lankans from 10 countries.

“Over Rs. 42.6 million has been funded to Sri Lanka Missions for providing dry rations, basic medicines, safety equipment and safe transportation to vulnerable segments in the Middle East and elsewhere,” Cabinet Spokesman Bandula Gunawardana, said assuring that all efforts are being made to repatriate as many Sri Lankans as soon as possible. 

He reiterated that pressure placed on the local healthcare system has to be carefully managed as there is a possibility that many returnees will be infected with COVID-19, which was seen in migrant workers from Kuwait.

Steps have been taken to send 5,000 bags worth Rs. 15.5 million containing dry rations and medicines to Maldives, UAE and Qatar where there is shortage of goods and difficulty in purchasing dry rations.

Diplomatic representations have been made by the Sri Lankan Missions to meet the needs of Sri Lankans overseas and maintain continuous contact with Sri Lankan communities in those countries. Steps have also been taken to provide necessary services from the nearest Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions concerning the countries where Sri Lankan Missions are not being functioning.

Gunawardana insisted Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions have been working to identify new markets and increase the demand in existing markets to expand exports and minimise the economic impact of COVID-19.