An Emirates flight carrying 217 Sri Lankans who were unable to return to Sri Lanka due to the COVID-19 pandemic arrived at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) yesterday.

The passengers had been flown from the US to Dubai and from there to Colombo as there are no direct flights from the US. Upon arrival at BIA, all passengers were subjected to PCR tests.

The passengers were provided temporary accommodation in several hotels near the airport until the test results are known.