By Maheesha Mudugamuwa
The Government would begin the process of repatriating migrant workers in Middle East this week after the green light was given in response to the request made by Sri Lanka to conduct PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests on all returnees 48 hours prior to arrival, Additional Secretary to the President (Foreign Relations) Admiral (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage told The Morning.
He said the Government was waiting for confirmation from the countries in the Middle East and so far the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (Dubai and Abu Dhabi) had verbally agreed to conduct tests on all returnees.
“We are waiting for the confirmation, and no sooner the confirmation is received, the repatriation process would begin,” Admiral Colombage said, adding that the Government is expecting to receive confirmation within the week, so the repatriation process would begin by the end of this week or early next week.
Due to the high number of Covid-19-positive cases reported among returnees from Kuwait and Dubai, the Government has temporarily suspended the repatriation of Sri Lankans who are stuck overseas as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
“After (bringing them from) Kuwait, we brought back Sri Lankans from Qatar and 80 had tested positive. Then, we brought back another set from England and only two had tested positive,” he said.
So far, the country has repatriated nearly 6,000 Sri Lankans from over 20 countries.
“When such high numbers are being repatriated, the Sri Lankan authorities will have to face practical difficulties, such as whether we have enough quarantine centres and the ability to conduct as many PCR tests. Therefore, we have to slow it down a little bit,” he added.
Migrant workers in the Middle East: Repatriation to recommence this week
09 Jun 2020
Migrant workers in the Middle East: Repatriation to recommence this week
09 Jun 2020
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