Sri Lankans stranded overseas to be systematically repatriated from next week

Sri Lankans stranded overseas will be repatriated to the island systematically from next week, the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said.

He said that accordingly Sri Lankans would be repatriated from foreign countries including the Middle East and that this would be done in batches. 

Last month, the Foreign Affairs Ministry had decision to temporarily suspend the repatriation of Sri Lankan migrant workers due to the prevailing COVID-19 situation in the country.

The limited space available in quarantine centers and hospitals treating COVID-19 patients was another reason behind this decision, it had said.

All those who arrive in the country from overseas must undergo a mandatory quarantine period of 14 days.

Currently, over 57,000 overseas migrant workers have applied to be repatriated to Sri Lanka.