Si Lanka’s network of 67 Foreign Missions is assisting and facilitating Sri Lankan expatriates in need during Covid-19 crisis period, Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha said.
Sri Lankans currently suffering overseas due to ongoing pandemic, the provision of dry rations and medicines will be provided , where necessary with the assistance of local Sri Lanka community and religious organisations,
Missions are also facilitating the extension of visa, enabling repatriation/transfer of funds through banking channels, coordination with educational institutes and overall ensuring the well-being of Overseas Sri Lankans.
Foreign Secretary Aryasinha said the specific situation in Kuwait, where an amnesty has been declared for over 19,000 workers who are out of status, has been a key focus of the Ministry.
The Governments of Sri Lanka and Kuwait are in discussion to extend the amnesty period and the modalities of implementation were the focus of a discussion by Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena and the Kuwaiti Ambassador in Colombo Khalaf M. M. Bu Dhhair.
This was pursuant to a telephone conversation held between Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa and the Kuwaiti Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.
The Foreign Secretary said following these discussions, conscious of the difficulty in repatriating persons to Sri Lanka at this time, a mutually beneficial decision is expected.
Secretary Aryasinha noted that Missions had been able to minimise the vulnerability faced by the Sri Lankan migrant workers in most settings.
Assistance provided by International organisations such as the International Organisation for Migration, Caritas, and Red Crescent societies has been supportive to further the efforts of the Missions.
He said the Mission in Seoul, Republic of Korea had assured that while there had been delays in some commencing their employment contracts, their jobs were secure.
(LI)