The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says in a statement that 43 Sri Lankans were evacuated to Djibouti by a Chinese vessel on 6 April 2015, while India and Indonesia each evacuated three Sri Lankans.

In addition, 5 Sri Lankans crossed the Mukallah – Oman boarder and were received by Sri Lankan mission officials at Sallah, who then facilitated their return to Sri Lanka.

An operational center was set-up in Djibouti by the Sri Lanka High Commissioner in Nairobi to coordinate evacuation and repatriation.

29 Sri Lankans will arrive in Colombo from Djibouti today on QR 656 (8th April) at 8.15 pm.

The Minister of Foreign Employment and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs will receive them at the airport.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating closely with the Ministry of Foreign Employment and the Foreign Employment Bureau to bring the remaining Sri Lankans back home.  

The Government of Sri Lanka appreciates the ready assistance of the Chinese government and all those who assisted in the evacuation.