Australian family stranded in Sri Lanka brought home to Dubai by UAE government

Wife and three children reunited with family in Dubai after flight suspensions kept them apart

The family has returned home to Dubai after being stranded in Sri Lanka for nearly a month. Wam

The children – who were all born in Dubai – were especially excited about going home. Wam

Sri Lanka suspended all flights to help limit the spread of Covid-19 following an increase of positive cases and deaths since April. Wam

The children were engaged in distance learning while they were away. Wam

The family is looking forward to returning to their home, friends and school. Wam

The wife expressed her joy at being reunited with her husband. Wam

All family members took a PCR test upon arrival at Dubai International Airport. Wam

'This is our home really so we really wanted to get back,' the family said. Wam

An Australian family of five has been reunited after being stranded in separate countries for nearly a month.

The family was holidaying in Sri Lanka over Eid when new Covid-19 restrictions were put in place, meaning flights home were suspended.

"We attempted to get out [of Sri Lanka], but the PCR tests didn't come back in time," the mother of three told state news agency Wam.

"So we were basically stranded there for the last three and a half weeks."

"We've been living here [in the UAE] for 15 years, the kids were all born here. This is our home really so we really wanted to get back.

"Luckily we have a very good student here in Dubai, so they were doing some distance learning."

The UAE authorities quickly responded and co-ordinated with authorities in Sri Lanka to facilitate the family's return.

The wife expressed her joy at being reunited with her husband.

"We're incredibly thankful and very excited to get home. To get back to the schools get back to our home and to their friends and normal life," she said.

After arriving at Dubai International Airport, the mother, 40, and her three children aged 11, 10 and 7 were received by a medical team so they could take the PCR test.

"I'm really happy that I get to be in my home country, where I was born, and I'm so excited to get back to my house again," said 10-year-old Levi.