Systematic repatriation will continue, says Minister Bandula Gunawardena

Colombo (News 1st); The Epidemiology Unit at the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health warns threat posed by COVID-19 is not 100% contained.

Senior Epidemiologist Dr. Sudath Samaraweera said special attention needs to be given to returnees from the Middle East upon arrival and when moved into quarantine as there is a spike in cases among those returning from those countries.

Joint-Cabinet Spokesperson Minister Bandula Gunawardena speaking to reporters on Thursday morning said the spike in cases among returnees from Kuwait has posed an issue to the Health and Security sector.

He said repatriation of Sri Lankans will take place systematically and students will be given priority followed by public sector employees and armed forces personnel who had given overseas for education on scholarship.

He said thereafter Sri Lankans who require medical attention will be repatriated and this would include expatriates as well.