In a recent meeting held at the Presidential Secretariat, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake reviewed the measures currently in place to ensure the safety and welfare of tourists and Sri Lankan migrant workers amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The meeting focused on the efforts of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation in addressing challenges faced by Sri Lankan workers abroad and tourists currently in the country.
The President highlighted the successful operation of 24-hour emergency services activated through Embassies to support Sri Lankans overseas and tourists. These services are reported to be functioning effectively, with no serious injuries recorded among Sri Lankans in the affected areas. Embassies have been instructed to provide necessary assistance to those seeking support.
Regular updates are being provided through hotline numbers established by the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment. These hotlines aim to offer essential support to tourists and address the concerns of Sri Lankan workers overseas. To date, there have been 19 inquiries related to visa expiration, 42 issues concerning immigration and emigration permits, and one request regarding financial matters, with no requests for special aircraft services received so far.
The meeting also decided to request grace periods through Embassies for Sri Lankan workers who have returned home, allowing them to resume their overseas employment. Additionally, the President instructed officials to collect information on Sri Lankans who traveled to Middle Eastern countries for tourism or business and are unable to return, with arrangements to be made for their safe return.
Officials from SriLankan Airlines assured that with aviation services gradually returning to normal, the necessary facilities can be provided without difficulty.
The meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath; Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Anura Karunathilaka; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Ruwan Ranasinghe; Deputy Minister of Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra; Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake; Chief of Staff to the President Prabath Chandrakeerthi; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja; Secretary to the Ministry of Ports and Civil Aviation W.W.S. Mangala; Chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority Sunil Jayaratne; Chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority and Tourism Promotion Bureau Buddhika Hewawasam; Chairman of the Foreign Employment Bureau Kosala Wickramasinghe; Controller General of Immigration and Emigration Chaminda Pathiraja; Head of Airport Management Aruna Rajapaksa, and several other officials.
