The Sri Lankans stranded in 150 safe houses in Saudi Arabia would be expatriated within 48 hours, National Operations Centre for Prevention of COVID-19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) Head, Army Commander Shavendra Silva said.

“Accordingly, stranded Sri Lankans would be expatriated as early as possible sending at least two flights to Saudi Arabia a day,” the Army Commander said at the Task Force on Covid-19.

“This emergency measure is to be implemented in coordination with all stakeholders because the quarantine procedure previously conducted in 72 tri service-managed quarantine centers and hotels would cease to function with the departure of all quarantined individuals back to their homes within next two days. Such places could easily be used for those expatriates arriving home”, he added