First Special Flight carrying Indian National takes off from Colombo

First Special Air India Flight AI 0276 carrying 176 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka took off from Colombo today for Mumbai, Bhubaneswar and Kolkata, Indian High Commission in Colombo said. The flight was arranged under ‘Vande Bharat Mission’ a Government of India initiative to undertake the largest ever repatriation of stranded Indian nationals from across the world to India due to COVID19 pandemic.

High Commissioner of India Gopal Baglay interacted with Indian passengers at Bandaranaike International Airport and wished them safe travel. Officials from the High Commission of India, Colombo briefed the home-bound passengers on arrival and health protocols in India. The joyous passengers thanked the Governments of both countries before boarding the flight to India.

Continuing the ongoing efforts for repatriation of Indian nationals an Indian Naval Ship INS Jalashwa will make a voyage to Tuticorin from Colombo Port on 01st June 2020. The ship will carry nearly 700 Indian nationals. Arrangements in this regard are being made in coordination with Government of Sri Lanka. The voyage will be next in the series of Samudra Setu, an exercise in which Indian Naval Ships have been deployed to bring back stranded Indians abroad under the Vande Bharat Mission.

Based on the registrations received by the High Commission of India, a passenger manifest has been prepared for these travels/voyages. Priority is being given to compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with expiry of visa, people with medical emergency/ pregnant women/elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students as stated in the Standard Operating Procedure issued by Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.