No Lankan travellers held at any US airport: Foreign Ministry

Sri Lankan travellers were not stranded at any US airport, following the new immigration regulations including a controversial immigration ban issued by US President Donald Trump, the Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mahishini Colonne tweeted on her official Twitter handle that, Sri Lankan missions in the US have informed there were no confirmed cases of Sri Lankans stranded at airports. “Sri Lanka is not on the list of countries in the recent US Executive Order”.

“All Sri Lankan missions in the US are on alert and in touch with relevant US authorities on this matter. Any Sri Lankan stranded at a US airport and requiring assistance, can call Sri Lanka’s Mission in New York on 001 917 597 7009,” she said.

However, No Ban JFK, a coalition of volunteer attorneys camped out at New York’s John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport earlier in the week claimed that 71 persons including Sri Lankan nationals were detained at the airport.

Reiterating that Sri Lanka is not on the list of countries included in this Executive Order signed by President Trump, the US embassy statement said that Sri Lankans can continue to travel to the United States with a valid visa. “For reasons of privacy, however, we cannot comment on individual visa cases.”

“The U.S. Government is committed to facilitating legitimate travel for international visitors, while ensuring the security of US borders. This suspension provided for in the Executive Order will allow the U.S. Government to review current screening procedures, while protecting national security,” the statement said.

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