SL requests to land aircraft in Wuhan to airlift 32 students

26 January 2020 10:25 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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On the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Beijing has today submitted an application to land a Sri Lankan Airlines aircraft in Wuhan Airport to airlift 32 Sri Lankan students including their family members, the Foreign Relations Ministry said today. In a statement, the Ministry said the Embassy is closely following up with the Foreign Ministry of China and Foreign Affairs Office of the Wuhan Province to expedite the process of obtaining clearance for the landing of the aircraft, as soon as they are allowed to travel out of their present locations. "The Ministry, Embassy and Consulate Generals are also working with the Sri Lankan Airlines in seeking to operationalize instructions to bring back all other Sri Lankan students presently in China. It is estimated that presently approximately 860 students remain in China, spread in various city centres throughout the country. Meanwhile, the Embassy in Beijing, Consulate Generals in Guangzhou and Shanghai are in constant touch with the Sri Lankan students in Wuhan and other parts of China to provide information with regard to the precautionary measures to be taken to prevent any infection. The Mission and posts have not received any information on any Sri Lankans infected by the Coronavirus, " it said. The Ministry further said, "In order to provide assistance to the Sri Lankan students and professionals living in China who wish to return to Sri Lanka, the Foreign Relations Ministry in collaboration with its Mission in Beijing and Posts in Shanghai and Guangzhou has secured the immediate application of 50% discount on the airfare of Sri Lankan Airlines for its regular flights operating to Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. All Sri Lankan citizens who would like to travel to Sri Lanka from China will be able to obtain 50% discount of the marked fare by calling the Sri Lankan Airlines call center on 0094-777771979. The Mission and the Posts are on a 24-hour operation to provide any assistance for Sri Lankans living in China, their parents and relatives. Information can be received from the Mission by calling the hotline on 0086-10-65321861/2. The following officers can also be contacted for queries about the Sri Lankans living in China and their relatives. The officers can be reached on a 24-hour basis on the following numbers: Mr. Alexi Gunasekera, Minister (Commercial) Mob. 0086 13070138025 Brig. Kalpa Sanjeewa, Minister Counsellor (Defence) Mob. 0086 13051733302 Mrs. Inoka Weerasinghe, Second Secretary Mob. 0086 15116905523 Mrs. Thilini Gunaratne, Second Secretary Mob. 0086 13121722296 Mrs. Manorie Mallikaratchy, the Consul General of Shanghai can be contacted on 0086 13472771702 or Mrs. Geetha Perera, Attaché on 0086 159 0094 6639 to obtain information regarding Sri Lankans living in Shanghai, Anhui, Zhejiang, Jiangsu, and Hunan. Mrs. Priyangika Dharmasena, the Consul General of Guangzhou can be contacted on 0086 18814134670 or Mrs. U.K.G.Roshini, Attaché on 0086 13902301874 for information regarding the Sri Lankans living in Guangdong, Fujian, Hainan, Guangxi, Jiangxi."

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Comments - 8

RD Sunday, 26 January 2020 10:45 PM

China has blocked access to Wuhan a reason i.e. to stop spreading the Corona Virus to other areas. Hope the Chinese authorities would not agree to our request.

sam silva Monday, 27 January 2020 02:26 AM

To rescue the 32 students you are putting whole nation in danger.

Warren Raed Monday, 27 January 2020 03:43 AM

Thank you Mr. President for making arrangements to bring the Wuhan Corona Virus to our country and kill as many citizens. Good job.

Good news Monday, 27 January 2020 03:45 AM

When the whole region is in lockdown, Sri Lanka demanding the Chinese to allow the Sri Lankan aircraft to land in the airport is very welcoming and extraordinary. We are behaving like a major power. Even India could not demand to land their planes to evacuate Indian students in the region.

Sanath Dhammika Monday, 27 January 2020 05:14 AM

Will the students and family members be kept in quarantine for 14 days when they arrive?

Mm Monday, 27 January 2020 06:45 AM

They are someone sons and daughters, brothers and sisters but please quarantine them for two weeks as soon as they arrive to Lanka

Viro Monday, 27 January 2020 08:20 AM

Please ensure that this plane does not bring the virus.

jehan Monday, 27 January 2020 11:35 AM

the students should be quarantined for a month.

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SL requests to land aircraft in Wuhan to airlift 32 students

Comments - 8

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