New mechanism for repatriation of Sri Lankans overseas

COLOMBO (News 1st): A new mechanism is to be formulated to repatriate Sri Lankans who are stranded or faced with various difficulties overseas, in the wake of COVID – 19 pandemic. The nature of the new system will be decided at a meeting scheduled for Wednesday (May 27), said the President's Media Division in a statement on Tuesday (May 26). Repatriation flights in June facilitate the return of Sri Lankans to the island will be planned accordingly. Director-General of Health Services - Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Additional Secretary on Foreign Relations - Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage, Specialist Epidemiologist - Pabha Palihawadana and Director of the Medical Research Institute - Dr. Jayaruwan Bandara are scheduled to participate for the meeting on Wednesday (May 27). The programme to bring back Sri Lankans who are undergoing many hardships due to the global spread of the virus commenced in last January under the guidance of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. "By May 25th, a total of 5485 Sri Lankans from 20 different countries were brought back," the PMD statement read. "Out of 197 who returned recently from Dubai, 20 tested positive for COVID–19. 150 out of 462 who returned from Kuwait were subjected to PCR tests and 96 tested positive. More than 300 are yet to undergo testing," President's Media Division said. "Almost all the returnees from Kuwait were detainees at welfare centres or deportation centres in that country," said the President's Media Division adding further said that "It is also a requirement to provide medical treatments to the infected."