Govt. should ease repatriation procedures of expatriates: UNP

• 15,000 expatriates struck abroad from Karandeniya alone
• Sri Lankans asked to obtain special permission to return to the island

By Yohan Perera 

The United National Party (UNP) said the Government should ease the procedures connected with the repatriation of Sri Lankan expatriates. 

UNP Chairman Vajira Abeywardena came out with this remark when he met some relatives of Sri Lankan expatriates in Galle on Saturday. 

He said there are 15,000 Sri Lankan expatriates struck abroad from Karandeniya alone. 

“Government had introduced a new procedure under which Sri Lankan expatriates are asked to obtain special permission to return to the island. This is most unfair. Any foreigner is allowed to come to Sri Lanka as a way of developing tourism. 

However, Sri Lankans are asked to seek special permission to return to their native land. This is most unfair. Therefore, we request the government to change this procedure,” he said. 

“The Sri Lankan expatriates were called ‘Rata Viruwo’ during the election time. However, now they are treated differently,” he added. 

• The SL expatriates were called ‘Rata Viruwo’ during the election time