324 Sri Lankan nationals evacuated by the Government of India from Lebanon arrived in Colombo late in the night on 30th July 2006 by a special Air India flight. They were evacuated from Lebanon by the Indian Naval ship INS Betwa to Cyprus. Air India then flew them from Cyprus to Sir Lanka. They were welcomed at the airport by Mr. Satendar Kumar from the High Commission of India and by Sri Lankan officials.

110 Sri Lankan nationals evacuated earlier by Government of India arrived in Colombo last week.

These evacuations are being carried out free of cost by Government of India as a gesture of friendship to the people of Sri Lanka and as a humanitarian measure in their hour of need.

The Sri Lankans spoke with emotion of the ordeal they had been through and expressed their heartfelt relief at being back home. Naomi, home from Beirut, gave voice to the feelings of all when she said "India has been a real friend to us and I shall always remember with gratitude the smooth operation by which we were brought back".