A group of Sri Lankans had been given special approval to return from India today, the Health Ministry said. 

The Health Ministry said approximately 20 Sri Lankans were on a special flight that arrived from New Delhi today. 

According to a Health Ministry spokesperson, the Sri Lankans had been in New Delhi for medical and other urgent requirements. 

The spokesperson said that they had made an appeal to be allowed to return to Sri Lanka on the Air India flight which was arriving today with a group of officials attached to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka. 

Sri Lanka had accepted the appeal and the Sri Lankans were allowed to return to the country. 

The Health Ministry said the Sri Lankans are now undergoing a 14-day mandatory quarantine. 

At least 16 Indians were also said to be on the flight from New Delhi.  

The Indians have also been placed at quarantine centers managed by the Sri Lankan government before they assume duties at the High Commission. 

A number of flights from India landed at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) over the past few days amidst a ban on travellers from India. 

However, officials insisted that the flights were either cargo flights or flights on transit.    

Sri Lanka banned travellers from India with effect from 6th May, including those who visited India 14 days prior to the date the ban came into effect. (Easwaran Rutnam)