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Dozens of Sri Lankan workers seek shelter from Lebanon bombings
View(s):By Mimi Alphonsus
Thousands of Sri Lankans—mostly domestic workers, caregivers, and agricultural workers—are caught in the crossfires of the escalating conflict in West Asia.
Israel continues to bomb Gaza, the occupied West Bank, Syria, Yemen, and Lebanon, while Iran has retaliated against Israel. Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has issued a travel advisory to those visiting Israel, Syria, and Lebanon.
About 11,000 Sri Lankans are in Israel, and about 7,600 are in Lebanon. So far, only one minor injury has been reported from a worker in Lebanon who was inside a neighbouring building when Israel targeted Hezbollah’s leader, Hassan Nasrallah. The worker is recovering in hospital and out of danger, said officials at the embassy in Lebanon.
Smoke rises from a building hit by an Israeli airstrike that targeted Beirut’s southern suburbs yesterday. AFP
Thirty-three Sri Lankans have taken refuge in shelters organised by the embassy in Lebanon with the support of local churches. According to Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Lebanon, Kapila Jayaweera, the MFA, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, Lebanese Sri Lankan Associations, CARITAS, and other local NGOs are supporting the relief efforts.
“The vast majority of Sri Lankans have managed to leave the areas that are being attacked, but there may be a few still there, although they have not contacted us,” said Mr. Jayaweera. The embassy is located a mere three kilometres from the Dahieh neighbourhood of Beirut, which is partially controlled by Hezbollah and has been under continuous Israeli bombardment.
Most Sri Lankans are continuing to stay with their employers. Some employers have fled the country and handed over their keys to their domestic workers, some of whom have lived in Lebanon for decades and even have children with them. The embassy said it is ensuring that those who are not in shelters are receiving food and medicine.
Lebanese and international media have reported that shelters are overcrowded, forcing those migrant workers whose employers abandoned them to sleep on the streets. The Sunday Times was unable to independently confirm whether there are Sri Lankans among these groups.
“So far, we are managing as only a few people are seeking shelter,” said Mr. Jayaweera. “We need to understand the crisis situation. When groups of people gather, they become targets for airstrikes. That’s why we have to forget the concept of the refugee camp and instead remain scattered.”
Mr. Jayaweera has warned Sri Lankans against loitering in groups or returning to their workplaces in dangerous neighbourhoods, but he says some workers go back during the day when the bombing subsides.
A Sri Lankan in Beirut, who did not wish to be named, said that many people do not want to leave Lebanon out of fear of not being able to return. “Some people have lived here for 20-30 years without the proper visa,” he said. “It is like a second home to them, and their position is uncertain if they leave.” In 2017, as many as 7,000 Sri Lankans in Lebanon were undocumented, according to the MFA.
Meanwhile, in Israel, there are no reports of Sri Lankans either injured or displaced. The MFA said it is in contact with the ambassador and monitoring the situation.
Besides migrant workers, trade too may be impacted by the escalations in the Middle East. Energy Ministry Secretary Udayanga Hemapala said that he does not anticipate a huge impact on Sri Lanka’s fuel supply. “We have stocks till the end of the year and have started tendering for the next ones as well,” said Prof. Hemapala. “In the international market, there is a small rise in petroleum prices, but so far we are not impacted.”
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