Around 170 Indian nationals stranded in Sri Lanka were repatriated on a special Air India (AI 0282) flight from Colombo to Delhi last Saturday (18), the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka said. The flight was scheduled as part of Phase IV of “Vande Bharat Mission”, an initiative of the Government of India to undertake the largest-ever repatriation from all over the world for the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Acting High Commissioner of India Vinod K. Jacob met the Indian nationals at Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) and bid the happy passengers a safe journey. Based on the registrations received by the High Commission of India, a passenger manifest will be prepared for these flights. Priority will be given to compelling cases in distress including migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short-term visa holders faced with the 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 of the Government of India. The Indian nationals who were stranded in Sri Lanka due to restrictions on international travel due to the pandemic have expressed their happiness at the opportunity to return home. Over 1,800 Indian nationals have been repatriated from Sri Lanka so far, including this flight, through five special Air India flights on 29 May, 15 June, 22 June, 3 July, and 8 July; the Indian naval ship Jalashwa which made a voyage from Colombo to Tuticorin on 1 June; and through various charter flights.