Coronavirus lockdown: Stranded in Columbo, these distraught Indians await embassy’s response

Coronavirus lockdown: Stranded in Columbo, these distraught Indians await embassy’s response

Pune: Eighty-two Indians stranded in Sri Lankan capital Columbo, of which 20 are from Maharashtra including three from Pune, are waiting for the government to respond to their tweets for help in returning home. 

These 82 Indians are connected through a WhatsApp group and are waiting for a response from the Indian embassy, ministry of external affairs, state governments and their local bodies. They have also created videos holding placards and appealing to the Indian government to evacuate them as soon as possible. 

Extension of the coronavirus lockdown till May 3 has compounded their problems. 

Mahesh Basudkar, one of the stranded citizens and a sailor, said that according to various reports, there are over 2,000 Indians stranded in Sri Lanka. However, the WhatsApp group consists of 82 people who are in Columbo. The group is providing emotional and mental support to each other to stay positive in this time of distress. 

Financial problems
It has been over a month that Harshal Jagtap and his wife have been in Columbo now. “When we contacted the Indian embassy (around March 23), they had suggested leaving as soon as possible, but due to the non-availability of flights, we couldn’t leave,” said Jagtap. 

“We have exhausted our savings. I am paying US$60 per day as hotel charges that covers only breakfast. Hence, we are skipping lunch to save money. Even the hotels have exhausted their resources,” said Jagtap adding that he fears the hotel staff will ask them to leave soon, as even Sri Lanka is under curfew and hotels are struggling to keep up with resources.

Basudkar, who was supposed to join his ship from Columbo, told Sakal Times over the phone, “Due to the lockdown, my joining got cancelled. When the lockdown was announced till April 14, many of us assumed that maybe after this period, we will be able to return to our country, but there has been absolutely no communication from the Indian embassy.”

“Now that the lockdown has been extended till May 3, we are unsure how will we survive,” he said. “If the government can’t evacuate us, then it can at least ensure financial support and well-being of its countrymen here,” he added. 

Another seafarer, on the condition of anonymity, said that he had arrived in Negombo on March 5. His wife and seven-year-old child in India are struggling to manage things. 

Captain Nitin Sudam Tandel, who has been in Columbo from March 11, also said, “Sri Lanka has fewer COVID-19 cases reported, unlike other countries which are on the higher side. Also, the nearest airport from Columbo is 45 minutes to one hour away. It is easier to evacuate people from here. After a point, it becomes stressful due to financial constraints.”

Government’s current stand

  • A source from the ministry of external affairs (MEA) has stated people stranded in Sri Lanka, have been advised to stay in touch with the Indian embassy.
  • The Prime Minister has been communicating with embassies around the world. 
  • At present, no evacuation is being carried out anywhere. 
  • MEA has informed the Supreme Court that it is difficult to evacuate millions of Indian citizens, including students and others.   

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