Inconsistency In Bringing Back Sri Lankans Trapped Abroad

There is a lot of publicity given these days to the government’s efforts to bring back Sri Lankans trapped abroad due to Covid-19. Almost every day, we get reports of groups of Sri Lankans being brought back to the island, by the national carrier.

- Rev. Fr. Vimal Tirimanna

In the meantime, the Sri Lankan authorities have been postponing the opening of the airport continuously for international travel. First it was announced that the airport would be opened from July 1. Then, the minister announced that it would be opened by August 1. And a couple of weeks later, the same minister announced that the opening would be delayed by at least another two weeks. Just a few days ago, the media announced that till all the Sri Lankans trapped abroad are brought back, the airport won’t be opened for international flights. The reason highlighted is that the government intends to give priority to those wanting to return from abroad.