Minister of Foreign Relations Dinesh Gunawardena has briefed the Cabinet of Ministers on the relief measures taken by his Ministry and Sri Lankan Missions abroad to address the issues related to vulnerable segments of Sri Lankans overseas amidst the Covid-19 Global Pandemic.
Co- Cabinet Spokesman Minister Bandula Gunawardena addressing the weekly cabinet media briefing today, highlighted some key points presented by Minister Dinesh Gunawardena on the measures taken by the Ministry and the Sri Lankan Missions abroad in this regard.
Minister Bandula Gunawardena said that 10 repatriation flights have been scheduled till July to bring down Sri Lankans from 10 countries.
He further pointed out the following 08 key measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
- Around 52,401 Sri Lankans in 117 countries have made requests to return to Sri Lanka by June 16, 2020.
- Together with the Presidential Secretariat and the Task Force on Covid-19, more than 9580 Sri Lankans have been brought to Sri Lanka from 38 countries.
- Ten flights have been arranged from 24th June to 7th July to repatriate Sri Lankans from 10 other countries.
- Over 42.6 million rupees has been funded to Sri Lanka Missions for providing dry rations, basic medicines, safety equipment and safe transportation to vulnerable segments in the Middle East and elsewhere.
- Steps have been taken to send 5,000 bags worth 15.5 million rupees containing dry rations and medicines to Maldives, UAE and Qatar where there is shortage of goods and difficulty in purchasing dry rations.
- Diplomatic representations are made by the Sri Lankan Missions to meet the needs of Sri Lankans overseas and maintain continuous contact with Sri Lankans.
- Steps have been taken to provide necessary services from the nearest Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions concerning the countries where Sri Lankan Missions are not being functioning.
- Sri Lankan Diplomatic Missions have been working to identify new markets and increase the demand in existing markets in order to revive the economy of Sri Lanka by minimizing the impact of the global plague. (Newswire)