Repatriation flights expected from Belarus and Australia: Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage

COLOMBO (News 1st): Since the 21st of April till present, around 5,700 Sri Lankans have been repatriated from 21 countries, according to Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage. "A majority of the returnees have already returned to their residences upon completing the mandatory quarantine period," told Admiral Professor, Jayanath Colombage - Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations, to News 1st on Wednesday (May 27). In the meantime, a group of Sri Lankans exiled by the Kuwaiti government and another repatriation flight from Dubai arrived in the island recently. According to Admiral Prof. Colombage, it has been confirmed that a majority of those who returned from Kuwait and Dubai were infected with the virus. On Wednesday it was confirmed to News 1st that 137 returnees from Kuwait had tested positive for COVID-19, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva - Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. "Therefore, repatriation of Sri Lankans will resume after all those who returned from Kuwait and Dubai, are subjected to PCR tests and directed for treatment if tested positive," said Admiral Prof. Colombage. However, 272 Sri Lankans repatriated from Qatar arrived in the island on Wednesday morning, according to Admiral Professor, Jayanath Colombage - Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations. "Around 250 to 275 Sri Lankan students in Belarus are scheduled to arrive in the island in the coming days," said Admiral Prof. Colombage adding that Sri Lankan students and Sri Lankans on a short-term visa in Australia and New Zealand, are scheduled to arrive in the island from Melbourne, on the 30th of May. As COVID-19 is somewhat contained in Sri Lanka at present, Admiral Prof. Colombage stressed, the repatriation process will continue carefully, ensuring that imported cases of COVID-19 do NOT result in the community spread of the virus in the island.