38,983 Sri Lankans in 143 countries seek assistance to return home
May 17, 2020Over 38,983 Sri Lankan expatriates in 143 countries have sought assistance to return home in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Relations, stated in a press release today( May 17).
Responding to requests from Sri Lankan migrant workers, students and short term visa holders overseas to return home, the Government under the Foreign Relations Ministry launched the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal in gathering much-needed information on March 26. The web portal was launched with the assistance of the Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), an umbrella institution under the Ministry of Defence.
According to the Foreign Ministry, 3,078 students, 4,040 short term visa holders, 27,854 migrant workers, 3527 dependents and 484 duel citizens have sought assistance and completed formalities to return.
Meanwhile, since April 21, around 3600 Sri Lankan expatriates have been repatriated from 15 countries, the Foreign Relations Ministry further stated.