Sri Lanka is taking steps to bring back students stuck in Russia and surrounding areas.
Acting Chief of Defence Staff and Army Commander, Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva said that Sri Lankans stranded in several countries are expected to be brought back over the next few days.
He said that among those set to return are Sri Lankans, especially students from Russia and neighbouring countries.
The Foreign Ministry said recently that nearly 39,000 Sri Lankans overseas have sought to return home as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
According to the Foreign Ministry said that over 38,983 Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in 143 countries at present have sought to return home, based on information gathered mainly through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Relations.
This comprises 3,078 students, 4,040 short term visa holders, 27,854 Migrant workers, 3527 dependents and 484 duel citizens and others. Meanwhile since 21 April, up to now, 3600 OSLs have been repatriated from 15 countries, largely comprising foreign students and government officials on training, as well as their dependents. (Colombo Gazette)
(Colombo Gazette)