India has made arrangements to repatriate the Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka with the restrictions imposed on international travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the High Commission of India in Colombo said.

As part of the Indian Government’s ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ to undertake the largest ever evacuation of stranded Indian nationals across the world to India, a special Air India flight AI 0276 has been presently scheduled from Colombo to Mumbai on Friday, 29th May.

Stranded Indian nationals are required to register with the High Commission of India in Colombo to be evacuated and based on the registrations received by the High Commission, a passenger manifest will be prepared for this flight.

According to the High Commission, priority will be given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/laborers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with expiry of visa, people with medical emergency/ pregnant women/elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students.

Information regarding this flight will be updated on the High Commission of India website. As the High Commission of India, Colombo has received a large number of repatriation requests from Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka, only some of the registered people would be accommodated on this flight that has been scheduled. Short-listed passengers for this flight will be informed through email by the High Commission of India.

Passengers will bear the cost of travel by this flight as well as for mandatory quarantine facilities on arrival in India. Information regarding quarantine facilities and Standard operating Procedure followed by respective States/UT Governments is available on the High Commission of India website.

Those stranded Indian nationals who have not yet registered with the High Commission may register on the following link - https://hcicolombo.gov.in/COVID_helpline

The High Commission urged all stranded Indian nationals to be patient and follow the updates on High Commission’s website and social media.

Meanwhile, the High Commission in a Twitter post said the Indian Navy ship INS Jalashwa will carry the stranded Indian nationals domiciled in the State of Tamil Nadu from Colombo to Tuticorin on 1st June. It said the “INS Jalashwa’s voyage from Colombo to Tuticorin on 1st June will be a major step in repatriation of Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka.”

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