2400 Indians stranded in Sri Lanka to be evacuated

Around 2400 Indians who have been stuck in the island nation for the past two months will return to India as the first rescue flight flies them back to Mumbai on May 29.

The Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said that Air India will operate special flight to bring back Indians some of the stranded Indians in Sri Lanka.

The Air India flight will fly from Colombo to Mumbai and then to Bhubaneswar and Kolkata helping those belonging to the states of Maharashtra, Goa, Odisha and West Bengal.

The passengers include those who went on tour to Sri Lanka and also people who are employed there.

Those returning will have to undergo institutional quarantine for minimum period of 14 days in a facility arranged by the State / UT governments. After the quarantine period, if the passengers test negative, they would be allowed to go home.

The flight will also carry those stranded in Mumbai to their respective states.

Government of India launched the Vande Bharat mission on May 7 to bring back Indians stranded in other countries.