(UTV | COLOMBO) – The government has urged all Sri Lankans residing overseas to register themselves with the nearest Sri Lankan Embassy or missions office in respective countries, if they hope to return to the island, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
Speaking at a media briefing held at the Department of Government Information, Co-Cabinet Media Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardana said once Lankans have registered themselves and provided relevant information, the information will then be provided to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and they will be repatriated to back Sri Lanka based on a deliberated priority list.
The Minister revealed that at present 41,000 Sri Lankans who wish to return to the island have registered themselves thus far.
Minister Gunawardana meanwhile assured that the government continues to intervene for the sake of Sri Lankans’ residing overseas who are facing difficulties due to the coronavirus outbreak.
He stressed the government is making every effort to ensure that all necessary support is being provided to needy Lankans, adding however that the country does not have the capacity to repatriate large scores of people in quick succession.
The Minster therefore urged people to remain patient in light of challenges, difficulties and restrictions faced within the island itself, assuring however that the government is taking all necessary measures to ensure that Lankans are repatriated post-haste.