Foreign Ministry says the government is working to rescue Maldivians stranded in Sri Lanka amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
In a statement, the Ministry said this work would begin on the 10th of June and that the first flight operated by Sri Lankan Airlines to the Maldives would carry Maldivians who went to the country for medical purposes but were left stranded amid the pandemic.
It also said priority would be given to Maldivian tourists stuck in Sri Lanka, Maldivian students who have completed their courses as well as Maldivians who want to return home because of health issues and those who are unable to maintain a living in Sri Lanka.
The Ministry assured that the government would work to bring back more Maldivians depending on the flight capacity but as the flight has limited seats not all the individuals stranded in Sri Lanka can be brought back on the first flight home.
It also said more flights would be scheduled for Sri Lanka as well as other countries where Maldivians are stranded as the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted international travel in an unprecedented manner.
The Foreign Ministry said it would follow the Covid-19 guidelines set by authorities and that all the Maldivians brought back would be quarantined as per instructed by the Health Protection Agency HPA.
