Special Indian flight to repatriate nationals stranded in SL next week

• Colombo-Mumbai flight to give priority to laid-off workers, short-term visa holders, students and elderly

The Indian High Commission in Colombo yesterday said that a special Air India flight has been scheduled on 29 May to repatriate the stranded Indian nationals in Sri Lanka.

Issuing a statement the High Commission of India in Colombo said the Government of India under the ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ is undertaking the largest-ever evacuation of stranded Indian national across the world to India.

The special Air India flight AI 0276 is scheduled on 29 May from Colombo to Mumbai.

The High Commission of India in Colombo noted that based on the registrations received by the High Commission of India, a passenger manifest will be prepared for this flight.



“Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short-term visa holders faced with expiry of visa, people with medical emergency/ pregnant women/elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students as stated in the Standard Operating Procedure issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, for movement of Stranded Indian Nationals dated 5 May,” the statement said.

The High Commission of India in Colombo also said information regarding this flight will be updated on its official website.

“As the High Commission of India, Colombo has received a large number of repatriation requests from Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka, only some of the registered people would be accommodated on this flight that has been scheduled. Shortlisted passengers for this flight will be informed through email by the High Commission of India,” the statement said.

According to the statement by the High Commission by India, passengers will bear the cost of travel by this flight as well as for mandatory quarantine facilities on arrival in India. Information regarding quarantine facilities and standard operating procedure followed by respective States/UT governments is available on the High Commission of India website.

Those stranded Indian nationals who have not yet registered with the High Commission were called on to kindly do so on the following link: hcicolombo.gov.in/COVID_helpline.

“We urge all stranded Indian nationals to be patient and follow the updates on High Commission’s website and social media,” the statement said.