Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched an inquiry into the case of a local woman and her child stranded in Dubai for reportedly more than three years following a viral social media plea for help.
The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Arun Hemachandra confirmed Tuesday that officials have initiated a formal investigation after the woman posted a video to Facebook appealing directly to the President and Foreign Minister for repatriation.
In the post, the woman stated she has been unable to leave the United Arab Emirates since her husband died following a lengthy hospitalization for a heart attack. She claims a Dubai hospital held her passport for nearly three years due to unpaid medical bills, leaving her and her child without valid travel documents.
The woman also cited mounting legal and financial hurdles, including liabilities for accommodation secured in her name using post-dated checks that she can no longer honor.
“At present, I also have legal issues because I had taken accommodation under my name… and I have no way to settle those payments,” she said in the post. “Even now, I have no solution… also, my child and I have no valid visas and cannot obtain employment anywhere.”
The woman stressed that she is not seeking financial compensation but is only asking for the government’s assistance to return to Sri Lanka.
The Deputy Minister told reporters he has personally spoken with the woman and that she has since provided a formal statement to the Sri Lankan Embassy.
“My office is currently handling the matter in close collaboration with our mission in Abu Dhabi and the relevant UAE authorities to make the necessary arrangements to bring her and the child back through proper official channels,” the Deputy Minister said.
He added that officials are currently reviewing the unsettled financial claims and legal liabilities involved in the case. No specific timeline for their return has been established. (Newswire)