Over 1000 repatriated Sri Lankans to return today (19): Army Commander

COLOMBO (News 1st): A record 1479 repatriated Sri Lankans will return to the island on Friday (Feb. 19), Army Commander General Shavendra Silva, the Head of the National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) told News 1st. According to the Army Commander, among those to be repatriated today (19) are: 300 returnees from Italy, around 292 from Kuwait, and 200 from the United Arab Emirates. Moreover, returnees are also expected from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Japan, Germany, the Maldives, and Malaysia as well. A total of 96,355 Sri Lankans have been repatriated so far, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva told News 1st on Friday (Feb. 19). "Up to now, we have brought 92,653 Sri Lankans who were working abroad. Also, we have brought some via sea. Altogether, 96,355 Sri Lankans have been repatriated, Although, it was said initially that only 45,000 are yet to come to Sri Lanka, we have brought over 90,000," General Shavendra Silva elaborated.