Approximately 60,000 Lankans repatriated from 137 countries: Namal

29 December 2020 09:12 pm - 8 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Nearly 60,000 Sri Lankans who were stranded in overseas due to Covid-19 have been repatriated as of today from 137 countries, Minister Namal Rajapaksa said.

Accordingly, a total of 59,377 Sri Lankans were brought back to the country from various countries including from the Middle East.

To date, 26,812 locals have been repatriated from the Middle East, 12,005 from East Asia, 10,033 from South Asia, 5,484 from UK and Europe, 2026 from the African region, 2,124 from North America, 1,605 from Russia and 189 from Latin America, he said.

"In December alone, 11,323 locals were repatriated and by the end of December, we expect these figures to go up to 12,395 which is the highest number to be repatriated for a month with an average of 400 locals being brought back daily," he said.

The Minister said that a day after Sri Lanka re-opened its borders to welcome the first batch of tourists from Ukraine after nine months which is much to the relief of several sectors who have faced a devastating blow from the COVID-19 pandemic, he had received a number of inquiries asking whether repatriation of local citizens would also continue with so much vigour.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 8

BigEars Wednesday, 30 December 2020 04:38 AM

So there will be a short fall of foreign remittances next year. Will Sri Lanka default?

Yohan Wednesday, 30 December 2020 04:59 AM

They paid their own airfare and other expenses including the hotel Quarantine charge. Government didn't spend a cent. Not an achievement of the government.

Rifai Wednesday, 30 December 2020 05:26 AM

A Good work at last...

Stingray Wednesday, 30 December 2020 06:31 AM

El Dorado for those Govt.cronies who owns hotels!

Not a Rosy future Wednesday, 30 December 2020 06:45 AM

Does this also mean, that the Foreign Earnings sent by these expatriate workers, too will dwindle, making us to go to the bottom of poor countries?

Chux Wednesday, 30 December 2020 06:51 AM

How about the repatriation business it is happening very well

Chris Wednesday, 30 December 2020 07:13 AM

Out of more than a million? Brilliant

Kanchana Wednesday, 30 December 2020 11:11 AM

All the repatriates are paying for their own air fare and accomodation at high prices on their own. GOSL is not incurring any loss, instaed they are making money by giving priorities to their friends to charter flights with inclusive of accomodotion charges

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Approximately 60,000 Lankans repatriated from 137 countries: Namal

Comments - 8

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

Racing event tragedy leaves seven dead including eight-year-old child

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Sri Lankan among NASA’s new crew for next simulated Mars journey

Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

MIRROR CRICKET

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Is Chamari Athapaththu Sri Lanka’s greatest cricketer ever?

Athapaththu back atop ICC Women’s ODI Batting Rankings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Foreign powers intensify surveillance on Presidential elections as strategic interests take centre stage

New uterine loop for monkey birth control

Sajith avoids reception hosted for Iranian President

Do not be afraid to use weapons, Minister Alles tells police

Sahan Arachchige to lead Sri Lanka ‘A’

Dates confirmed for 78th Bradby Shield

SLAS appoints independent committee for investigation

Pakistan lose key players for last two T20Is against New Zealand