COLOMBO: Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Minister of Health said that steps will be taken to gradually bring Sri Lankans from foreign countries including the Middle East to Sri Lanka.
The Minister was speaking at a media briefing held at the National Action Center for the Prevention of the spread of Covid-19 in Rajagiriya.
The Minister of Health said, “Covid-19 virus is a widespread disease in the world today. I think Sri Lanka is the only country in the world that has completely eradicated the spread of this disease in society. It is with the planned intervention of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa that we have been able to save the lives of the people of our country”.
“A large number of people from various countries including the Middle East are hoping to come to Sri Lanka. But we have a major responsibility to protect the people in the country from the deadly virus. That is our serious responsibility as a government. We are taking steps to bring them to Sri Lanka in organized groups,” she said, adding that there is some 50,000 Lankans who wish to come to Sri Lanka from foreign countries, including from the Middle East.
“ We have to bring those people there in a way that our country can afford. Therefore, we have to act responsibly.”
According to the World Health Organization, she said the virus can also be transmitted through inhalation. Sri Lanka is the only country in the world that has saved people from this virus. We have to tell Sri Lankans living abroad that we as a government are taking steps to bring you to Sri Lanka. But we cannot bring all of them at once.”
“ Our army is intervening and maintaining a large number of quarantine camps in the country. It is with that strength that we are able to control this disease today. Quarantine camps are being maintained in 65 camps with a population of over 10,000. It has reached its brim.”
“Therefore, as a government, we will take steps to bring our people abroad to Sri Lanka in a systematic manner,” she concluded.