Crisis over Qatar could affect SL workers

The diplomatic crisis over Qatar has triggered panic across the world as countries like Saudi Arabia are also not allowing any airline to use its air space to fly into Doha, the capital of Qatar.
This came after Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman and Bahrain among other countries severed diplomatic ties with Qatar accusing the latter of links to terror organisations and destabilizing the region.
While Saudi Air, Emirates and Etihad were among airlines that pulled out flying to Doha, the issue of whether other airlines – like SriLankan Airlines or Qatar Airways – could operate flights to Doha and back was also unclear. With Qatar surrounded by other West Asia states including some which have severed ties, it was unclear whether flying over their airspace to Doha and back would be permitted. Saudi has said these movements won’t be permitted.
There was no immediate comment from SriLankan Airlines on the unfolding crisis. Thousands of Sri Lankans work in Qatar.
The Central Bank earlier on Tuesday denied reports that banks at the international airport at Katunayake have been asked to stop dealing with the Qatar currency. However some passengers who arrived at the airport this morning said the banks were not exchanging or selling this currency. – ENDS -