News
All eyes on Ukraine as Lanka fears conflict will hit already battered economy
As fighting escalates between Russian and Ukranian security forces, Sri Lanka is watching nervously on how the conflict will impact a country already reeling from an unprecedented economic crisis.
As Russian forces reached the Ukranian capital Kiyv, there were concerns over the safety of Sri Lankans still in Ukraine. Of the 71 Sri Lankan nationals known to have been in Ukraine, 14 are students. Eight students have now made their way across the border to Poland. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara, Turkey, which is concurrently accredited to Kyiv, is in contact with the six remaining students, a Foreign Ministry official said.
Remembering the fallen back home: A group of Ukranian tourists light candles in Galle Fort. Pic by Shirangika Lokukarawita
Aside from the students, most of the other Sri Lankans are longtime residents in Ukraine, with some being married to Ukranian nationals. The embassy is in contact with many of them and are ensuring their safety and welfare, the official added. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Embassy in Poland has requested Polish authorities to allow Sri Lankan passport holders from Ukraine to enter the country.
Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine who wish to leave the country have been requested to contact the 24×7 hotline established at the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara via mobile: +90 534 456 94 98 ; land line: +90 312 427 10 32 and email: slemb.ankara@mfa.gov.lk.
Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian traffic on Thursday (24) after Russia began its invasion, stating the reasons as the high risk posed by weapons and military equipment to civilian aircraft. Moldova also closed its airspace while Belarus shut part of its airspace.
The developments however, have not affected SriLankan Airlines flights as they do not fly over Ukranian airspace, an airline official told the Sunday Times. At present, the conflict has not forced SriLankan to cancel any flights or for its planes to deviate from their routes.
Nevertheless, the invasion and closure of airspace has severely affected several hundreds of Ukranian and Russian tourists currently in Sri Lanka.
The Ukranian Embassy in India, which is concurrently accredited to
Sri Lanka, has requested the Sri Lankan Government through the Foreign Ministry to provide the necessary migration assistance for stranded Ukranian nationals. The Embassy has asked for the extention of validity of Lankan visas / residence permits for Ukranian nationals staying in Sri Lanka due to the current situation, waiving penalities for overstaying their visas and granting them free exit.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian community in Sri Lanka has been mobilising and on Friday (25), held a protest opposite the Russian Embassy in Colombo condemning the Russian invasion of their country. Yesterday, a group of Ukranians also held a protest inside the historic Galle Fort. The participants lit candles in memory of their fellow citizens who have died in the conflict so far.
While looking into ways to provide relief to Ukranians stranded in Sri Lanka, the Government however, has insisted it will take a “neutral” stand on the issue, Foreign Secretary Admiral (Retd.) Jayanath Colombage said on Friday. He stated that the Government was monitoring the situation. Earlier, the Foreign Ministry issued a statement noting that the Government of Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the recent escalation of violence in Ukraine. 
Other main political parties too have so far refrained from issuing formal statements. The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is concerned over the happenings in Ukraine and is currently monitoring developments, Parliamentarian Dr Harsha De Silva stated. The priority right now should be the safety of between 50-70 Sri Lankan nationals who are reported to be in Ukraine, he added. “We have taken note of the Sri Lankan Government’s statement on the matter and our party seniors may issue a formal statement later.”
There are fears that the country’s tourism industry, which is only now starting to get back on its feet, will suffer a catastrophic blow owing to the conflict. Tourists from Russia and Ukraine combined amount to the largest group of foreign tourist arrivals in the country, President of the Hotels Association of Sri Lanka (THASL) M. Shanthikumar said. “The war will prevent people from traveling, which will be very difficult for us,” he noted. While war would impact tourism from Ukraine, any sanctions that may be imposed on Russia could also impact tourism from that country. “In the end, war will also affect people’s finances, meaning they will no longer be able to travel like they used to.”
With the Lanka Indian Oil Company (LIOC) also increasing fuel prices with effect from Friday night, the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC) is also facing severe pressure to increase prices. With oil hitting over USD 100 a barrel this week following the invasion, a price hike is inevitable, analysts noted.
The Ministry of Energy though, said yesterday that no decision had yet been made to increase fuel prices.
The best way to say that you found the home of your dreams is by finding it on Hitad.lk. We have listings for apartments for sale or rent in Sri Lanka, no matter what locale you're looking for! Whether you live in Colombo, Galle, Kandy, Matara, Jaffna and more - we've got them all!