(UTV | COLOMBO) – A Kuwait Airways flight carrying 300 Sri Lankan nationals from Kuwait landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake, a short while ago.
The group of Sri Lankans arrived in the country onboard Kuwait Airways flight KU 1451 this evening.
The repatriation of Sri Lankans who have sought to benefit from the Amnesty declared by the Kuwaiti Government for Sri Lankans who are out of status commenced today (19).
Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena who had a telephone discussion with his Kuwaiti Counterpart Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al Mohammed Al Sabah yesterday (18) had agreed that the first batch of returnees, numbering approximately 460, will arrive on two Kuwaiti Airways flights on Tuesday (19 May).
The Foreign Minister also said in consultation with the immigration authorities, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait will verify and issue emergency travel documents to those Sri Lankan nationals who will qualify for the Amnesty when the Kuwaiti government reopens for them to register.
The general Amnesty enables those out of status to leave with no consequences, and also to return to Kuwait for work in a legal manner.
Over 100,000 Sri Lankans are presently working in Kuwait. Sri Lanka Embassy in Kuwait in collaboration with the Sri Lankan community and other welfare groups based in Kuwait, were continuously providing dry rations to the neediest Sri Lankans amidst the Covid-19 outbreak.
It was noted that the planes carrying the beneficiaries of the amnesty from Kuwait, will be taking back Sri Lankan exports to Kuwait.