Speaking to media, Jayanath Colombage – Additional Secretary to the President for Foreign Relations said, "a request has been made to allow the Head of the Dawoodi Bohra community - His Holiness Dr. Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin and 45 followers to stay at a retreat they have in Bandarawela. These leaders are treated as state leaders. We have allowed this."
"They are currently in Mumbai. We have instructed them to do PCR tests 48-hours prior to departure and get the test reports. Then we know that they have not caught the Covid-19 within these two days. Then they are sent straight to their retreat in Bandarawela and quarantined as per health regulation, overseen by the Army," he has added.
Before their quarantine period ends, they must be subjected to a PCR testing again. We will facilitate this. The retreat staff too, has been instructed that all health instructions should be followed. Accordingly, the staff will provide their services dressed in protective clothing.
The 'Aruna' newspaper reports that dates of their stay have not been clarified so far.
Meanwhile, citing authoritative sources, the 'Sunday Times' had reported "the Government is to grant clearance for a special flight carrying the Head of the Dawoodi Bohra community and 200 followers who wish to spend time at a retreat in Bandarawela."
The newspaper has added that the aircraft is to arrive in the next few days from Mumbai.
