COLOMBO – An estimated 68,000 Sri Lankans living in various parts of the world are awaiting repatriation, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Sunday (3), noting that due to the large number of layoffs and other causes of of unemployment, the number of prospective returnees have been steadily increasing.
Issuing a statement on Sunday, the ministry said an estimated 68,000 overseas Sri Lankans from various regions have been waitlisted by the ministry for repatriation, adding that the process of ensuring a swift return of Sri Lankans in distress remain one of the most pressing challenges amidst a worsening global situation triggered by the Covid pandemic.
The ministry said that since the evacuation of 33 students from Wuhan City, in February 2019, it has been carrying out the task of repatriation for almost a year and to date 60,470 Sri Lankans, including pilgrims, students, officials of government or armed forces, migrant workers, short term visitors, sea farers and cases on compassionate grounds have been repatriated from 137 countries through the Sri Lanka Missions overseas.
Over 40,000 migrant workers, predominantly from the Middle East region, and 20,000 from Europe, Africa, Asia and Latin American regions have been repatriated so far, with those from the Middle East regions identified as the top segment of workers who have benefitted from the repatriation program.
Quoting Secretary Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Admiral Jayanath Colombage, the statement said a further 1400 passengers from Chennai, Melbourne, Kuwait, Doha, Canada, Cyprus and Dubai, will be repatriated in fortnightly schedule of flights finalized to be operated between January 2 and 9.
It also said the ministry and its 67 Missions were continuing discussions with friendly nations, UN Agencies and regional organizations and have secured as grants and donations large consignments of PCR test kits, RAT kits, test machines, lifesaving medicines, Ventilators, humidifiers and huge quantities of PPEs and face masks towards reinforcing the national Covid containment efforts. It said the Missions were also closely following the developments with regard to manufacturing of vaccines and serving as a conduit of vital and timely information on the feasibilities of sourcing the vaccine from foreign governments.
The ministry also highlighted the air lifting of over 10,000 packs of dry rations and indigenous medicines to Male, Dubai and Doha and the releasing of Rs 80 million so far for the sustenance of Sri Lanka communities overseas. The funds were aimed at supplying basic medicine, testing, temporary accommodation, protective gears, internal transportation and in some cases the air tickets, the ministry said.
-ENCL