Dutch sailors who landed at Mattala airport board ship in Galle

COLOMBO (News 1st): A flight from the Netherlands touched down at the Mattala Airport this morning. 235 crew members of a Dutch ship arrived in the island on a chartered flight today. They had arrived at the Mattala Airport to commence work on a ship that has been anchored at the Galle Harbour. “The crew members were transported to the port on a bus after being disinfected,” an official at the Mattala Airport said. 57 crewmen who had already been employed on the ship are to be flown back on the chartered flight tonight. “The Government had approved a request made by the shipping company to rotate their employees,” added the official. Responding to inquiries, airport officials said that the crew members were transported to the Galle Harbour while ensuring that they do not come into contact with outsiders. The Sri Lanka Ports Authority said that the employees were rotated under the supervision of Navy personnel and health officials.