Former Minister Vajira Abeywardena accused the government of adopting a lenient policy in allowing foreign tourists while adopting a complicated process for Sri Lankan expatriate workers returning home.
He said that a cumbersome process is being adopted by the government for repatriation of Sri Lankans who wish to return home. “Those who are holding Sri Lankan passports should have full freedom to return to their country without any hassle and they should be allowed to be in home quarantine,”he said.
Abeywardena said that the Sri Lankan expatriate workers are unable to bear the cost of quarantine at hotels and the government should allow them to be in home quarantine.Addressing a group of persons in Karandeniya whose relatives are working overseas as expatriate workers on Saturday, the former Minister said Sri Lankans wanting to return back have to obtain special permission from the government.
“Arrangements should be made to inoculate them on their return to the airport and send them to their homes for quarantine,” he said.