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AI flies evacuated Sri Lankans to Colombo

B. Muralidhar Reddy

COLOMBO: Three hundred and twenty four Sri Lankan nationals evacuated from Lebanon arrived here early on Monday by a special Air India flight.

The Indian naval ship INS Betwa moved them from Lebanon to Cyprus and Air India then flew them to Sri Lanka. They were welcomed at the airport by an official of the High Commission of India nd by Sri Lankan officials.

One hundred and ten Sri Lankan nationals evacuated earlier arrived here last week.

The Government of India as a gesture of friendship to the people of Sri Lanka is carrying out the evacuation free.

So far, over 1,000 Sri Lankans have been evacuated from the battle zone in Lebanon.

According to estimates there are nearly 80,000 Sri Lankans working in Lebanon.

Despite deteriorating security situation there, not many of them are prepared to leave.

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