News

Sri Lanka is deeply concerned about the war situation in Lebanon, which may affect over 90,000 Sri Lankan immigrant workers there, Foreign Employment Bureau Chief Jagath Wellawatte said. “Approximately 93,000 Sri Lankans, of which nearly 86,000 are females are employed in Lebanon. The attacks have mainly been concentrated on Beirut, which is a Hezbollah stronghold and the main Beirut-Damascus Road,” Mr. Wellawatte told The Sunday Times.

“Israel later bombed targets in southern Lebanon. There are Sri Lankans who work all over Lebanon and we are chiefly concerned about those working in Beirut as it appears to be the main Israeli target,” he said.

The Foreign Ministry has been coordinating with Sri Lankan nationals through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon, especially after the recent escalation of violence with Israeli forces attacking Lebanon by sea, land and air, consequent to the incarceration of two Israeli soldiers and the killing of eight by Hezbollah militants.

“Many Lebanese roads, power supplies and communication networks have been bombed and two attacks have been launched on the Beirut International Airport shutting it down,” Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Minister Athauda Seneviratne told The Sunday Times.

According to reports received by the Foreign Ministry from the Sri Lankan Mission in Beirut, no Sri Lankans were said to be hurt during the attacks.

It is learnt that Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Deputy Minister Mervyn Silva is currently in Cyprus. However, since the Beirut airport has been shut down, he is unable to enter Lebanon to see the situation at first hand.

Meanwhile, the Government has urged the Sri Lankan Embassy to be alert and immediately attend to those in need.

“The Embassy has appointed official coordinators in different areas of the country to gather data about Sri Lankans who may be affected by the Israeli attacks. These coordinators are voluntary Sri Lankans who are already working in Lebanon,” Mr. Wellawatte said.

“The chaotic circumstances in Beirut are expected to settle after a few days, but in the meantime, we are ready to supply food and facilities to Sri Lankans who may be in need. This action has been coordinated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM),” he said.

“Moreover, I have spoken to both the Director General of the Foreign Ministry I. Ansar as well as the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Lebanon to determine what we can do to further improve the situation for Sri Lankan workers there,” he said.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour has urged both parties to refrain from attacking civilian targets.

The UN Security Council is scheduled to hold an emergency meeting, following an urgent request made by Lebanon to adopt a resolution calling for a ceasefire.

Many concerned families and relatives have been inquiring about the wellbeing and security of the Sri Lankan workers in Lebanon after witnessing on TV the damage inflicted by the bombings.