Private proposal to repatriate Sri Lankans shot down due to high cost

COLOMBO (News1st): A proposal by a private businessman to repatriate 2000 Sri Lankans stranded in the middle-east has been turned down by authorities due to its high cost. The private company has requested Rs 380 million to bring back the Sri Lankans on a ship with medical facilities, a Daily Mirror newspaper report showed. The report, citing the National Operation Centre for the Prevention of COVID-19 added that it would cost Rs 180 million to bring back the expatriates by air. News1st is in possession of the letter sent by the relevant business entity on this proposal.