Attention is being paid to expedite the establishment of the necessary quarantine centers for the repatriation of Sri Lankan migrant workers, the Government said. The Minister of Labor Nimal Siripala Silva has requested the relevant authorities to take necessary steps to establish the necessary centers for the quarantine of Sri Lankan migrant workers who are expected to return. "The media and some opposition parties have been criticizing the delay in repatriating our migrant workers from abroad, but they do not understand the realities and difficulties involved," the Minister pointed out at a special discussion held at the Ministry of Labor yesterday. The Minister further stated that this programme will be implemented only for migrant workers who are registered with the Bureau of Foreign Employment. According to the Bureau's Act, the Bureau's funds can only be spent on migrant workers registered with the Bureau. "Those who have gone abroad for other employment cannot avail these benefits," the Minister said. The Minister said that due to the lack of space in the existing quarantine centers in the country, separate quarantine centers for these migrant workers should be set up soon with the advice of the Army and the Health Department. The Minister also instructed the Bureau of Foreign Employment to look into the use of closed tourist hotels in various parts of the country for this purpose. Speaking at the event, Army Commander General Shavendra Silva said that steps have been taken to repatriate nearly 90,000 Sri Lankans living abroad.