Govt. appeals to overseas Sri Lankans to stay in respective countries

The Government yesterday requested Sri Lankan expatriates who wish to return to the country to safely remain where they are now until the risk of COVID-19 virus is minimised, the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

The Government has taken several effective initiatives to prevent the spread of the virus and in order to stop the virus coming into the country and combat its spread, the Government has completely banned overseas arrivals.

Other countries in the world too have taken similar steps and suspended travelling within the country as well as foreign tours. The Government announced that the requests made by Sri Lankan students, businessmen and employees overseas to return would be considered after containing the disease in the country.

They also run the risk of contracting the disease by travelling through airports or other places from where they are currently located.

Therefore, the Additional Secretary to the President on Foreign Relations Admiral Jayanath Colombage requests all Sri Lankans who wish to return to stay safely where they are while sharing their information with the Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate General offices in their respective countries.