Sri Lanka Police have intensified security measures at foreign diplomatic missions and locations linked to foreign nationals in Sri Lanka following rising global tensions, the Police Media Division said.

In a statement issued on March 3, the Police said the Inspector General of Police has instructed all police stations to implement special security arrangements to prevent any incidents that could disrupt public order or national security.

Accordingly, enhanced protection has been ordered for embassies, high commissions and their official residences, as well as other affiliated premises. Police said these security measures will remain in place until further notice

The directives also cover the safety of foreign nationals currently in Sri Lanka, including their residences, business establishments, tourist sites, hotels, residential buildings and places of religious worship.

Police said a 24-hour security plan has been introduced to ensure the protection of both individuals and property.

If required, assistance from the armed forces will be sought to support the implementation of these security measures, the statement added. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has advised Sri Lankans in Nepal to take precautions and remain indoors to protect themselves from possible attacks during the ongoing nationwide protests.

Issuing a notice, the Foreign Ministry said Sri Lankan Embassy officials can be contacted 24 hours a day via +977- 9851048653.

Sri Lankans in Nepal have been advised to keep a supply of water and dry food close at all times, as well as the necessary medication.

The Foreign Ministry further said that it continues to monitor the situation and is in touch with the Sri Lankan mission and some community leaders in Nepal.  

Late on Monday night, the government of Nepal lifted a ban on social media, which had led to what the organisers call a Gen Z protest in the capital, Kathmandu, and other cities.

Nepal’s Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli resigned after three of his ministers earlier quit following deadly protests over alleged government corruption that killed 19 people. 

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to establish a Sri Lankan Embassy in Cyprus, effective from July 20, to provide diplomatic services to Sri Lankans living in the country.

According to a Foreign Ministry statement, the Government of Cyprus has granted approval for the opening of the embassy, and the delegation appointed by the ministry to commence operations at the embassy, is scheduled to depart for Cyprus on July 15.

Commenting on this development, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath said the decision to reopen the Sri Lankan Embassy in Cyprus was made after considering repeated requests from Sri Lankans residing there. 

The minister further said that, following the opening of the office, services will be provided to the Sri Lankan community and steps will be taken to expand employment opportunities and promote trade and investment.

Around 15,000 Sri Lankans currently reside in Cyprus, and a few years ago, the previously active Embassy in Cyprus was closed, forcing Sri Lankans to seek diplomatic services from the embassy in Ankara, Turkey. 

With the intervention of Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath, the new government is able to respond to the demands of Sri Lankans in Cyprus and initiate this diplomatic mission, the Foreign Ministry statement said. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says coordinated efforts are underway to ensure the safety and evacuation of Sri Lankan nationals from various Middle Eastern countries, due to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.

Issuing a statement, the Foreign Ministry provided the following situation update for today. 

• Status in Iran

As reported by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Tehran, the total number of Sri Lankans currently accounted for in Iran is 41, including 09 who have already departed the country. 

03 Sri Lankans, including 2 students, are in the process of departing today (24 June) from Mashhad Airport to New Delhi, India. The Consul General, Dubai, has been informed by the Indian Deputy Head of Mission that the 03 Sri Lankan citizens were successfully evacuated this morning via scheduled flights.

02 Sri Lankans, a student and an Embassy officer, are scheduled to depart via the Türkiye border today. 03 Sri Lankans are expected to depart under company-arranged travel in the coming days.

• Status in Israel

As reported by Sri Lankan Ambassador Nimal Bandara, 219 Sri Lankans who travelled to Sri Lanka for holidays are scheduled to return to Israel. The Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) has extended the re-entry visa period for foreigners who were unable to return to Israel as scheduled due to the Iran-Israel conflict. These visas will now be valid until July 31, 2025.

17 Sri Lankans have registered to travel on the flight operated by the Indian government, scheduled to depart from Amman Airport in Jordan to New Delhi, India, tomorrow (25 June).

20 individuals have registered with the Embassy to travel to Sri Lanka via Egypt in the coming days. So far, five (05) have already arrived in Sri Lanka.

• Status in Egypt

As reported by Sri Lankan Ambassador Sisira Senavirathne, 03 Sri Lankans arrived in Egypt through the TABA border crossing yesterday, and they will be departing for Sri Lanka today from Cairo.

Approval for another 03 individuals has also been received, and they can cross the border anytime now.

A list of 17 Sri Lankans, which the Embassy received yesterday, has been referred for approval, and possibly will be cleared soon.

• Status in Jordan

As reported by the Sri Lankan Ambassador Priyangika Wijegunasekara, Jordanian airspace experienced two brief closures on 23 June 2025 due to increased airfield activity.

Sri Lankans intending to travel via Jordan have not yet obtained transit visas. In some cases, flights may land at Sharm el-Sheikh Airport in Egypt. If so, Egyptian visas will be required. Exit fees from Jordan will be paid by the individuals.

According to the Indian Embassy in Jordan, they have not yet received instructions from Indian authorities to board foreign nationals, including Sri Lankans, on the Indian-operated flights scheduled for tomorrow. 

• Status in Türkiye

As reported by Minister Counsellor of the Sri Lankan Embassy, Nilusha Dilmini, one Sri Lankan national, a student, arrived in New Delhi yesterday. Although arrangements had been made for her onward journey to Colombo from Delhi last evening, she could not board that flight due to the flight from Iran being delayed. Arrangements were therefore made for her to fly to Colombo, which departed Delhi today, and she has reached Sri Lanka safely. 

The Mission staff met her on arrival and was in touch with her throughout and assisted her at every step, from her arrival in Delhi, stay, and departure from Delhi. The Mission was also in contact with her mother in Sri Lanka.

All the relevant Divisions of the Ministry of External Affairs of India, i.e. the IOR – Indian Ocean Region Division; PAI – Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran Division; and the Protocol Division, extended their fullest support to the High Commission in handling the arrival, transit and departure of the student. She was provided a Temporary Landing Pass on a gratis basis. Arrangements were also made for her to stay in the departure lounge, and food/ refreshments were provided to her free of charge. 

The GMR (Airport Management) in India also extended their fullest support in this regard. The Sri Lankan Airlines officials in Delhi also provided their fullest support, including escorting the passenger to the flight this morning to ensure that she does not face any hassle.

• Status in Qatar

As reported by Sri Lankan Ambassador Sithara Khan, the Mission in Doha is in constant contact with the Qatar Foreign Ministry and other Missions in Doha. An update from the Foreign Minister is anticipated. The Mission has kept the Sri Lankan citizens informed through the Mission website and Facebook. An emergency Email address has also been provided along with telephone numbers. 

The Government of Sri Lanka, together with its overseas diplomatic missions, has intensified its efforts to ensure the safety and repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals, after the escalation in the conflict between Israel and Iran, expanding to Qatar yesterday. (Newswire)

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Sri Lankan citizens in Qatar have been advised to stay indoors and remain vigilant due to the escalating regional tensions. 

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Qatar has urged Sri Lankan nationals to closely follow the advice issued by the Qatar Government authorities and the Embassy.

In the event of an emergency, Sri Lankan nationals have been requested to contact the Embassy via;

• Email – emergency.sldoha@gmail.com 
• Hotline – +97471182587.

The advisory comes after an attack on US forces at Al Udeid airbase in Qatar on Monday, with Iran saying it would retaliate for the US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. 

Flares were visible over Qatar’s capital, Doha, on Monday. It was initially not immediately known if this was the air defence system or missiles.

Loud explosions were also heard, although so far no injuries have been reported. Qatar’s Ministry of Defence says its air defence systems successfully intercepted missiles targeting Al Udeid Air Base.  (Newswire)

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon has made necessary arrangements to evacuate 55 vulnerable Sri Lankan workers from Lebanon on a group basis, due to the conflict with Israel.  

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lankan Embassy said the evacuation is being carried out in association with the International Organization of Migration (IOM).

Accordingly, the latest group of 26 Sri Lankans were repatriated to Colombo last evening (04 Dec).

Appreciating the assistance of the IOM in Lebanon, the Sri Lankan Embassy expressed hope in working together to continue to facilitate the most needy Sri Lankans despite the tense situation in Lebanon. 

Israel threatened on Tuesday to return to war in Lebanon if its truce with Hezbollah collapses — and said this time its attacks would go deeper and target the Lebanese state itself, after the deadliest day since the ceasefire was reached last week.

In its strongest threat since the truce was reached to end 14 months of war with Hezbollah, Israel said it would hold Lebanon responsible for failing to disarm militants who violated the truce.

Despite last week’s truce, Israeli forces have continued strikes in southern Lebanon against what they say are Hezbollah fighters ignoring the agreement to halt attacks and withdraw north of the Litani River, about 30 kilometres from the Israeli-Lebanese border. (Newswire)

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The government has decided to immediately recall 16 officials who had been appointed to overseas diplomatic missions due to political connections, it was reported. 

According to the state newspaper, Dinamina, the Foreign Ministry has informed the respective officials in this regard and they are expected to return to Sri Lanka soon. 

Following is the list of officials recalled by the government;

1. Consul General in Los Angeles, USA – Dr.Lalith Chandradasa
2. Consul General in Shanghai, China – Anura Fernando
3. Deputy High Commissioner in Chennai, India – Dr. D.Venkateshwaran
4. Consul General in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – S.M.A.F. Moulana  
5. Minister at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, USA – Nishan Manik Muthukrishna
6. Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, USA -Tharaka Dissanayake
7. Third Secretary at the Sri Lankan High Commission in London – Sanjay Punchinilame 
8. Rome Embassy – Melki Chandima Perera
9. Canberra High Commission – Dinuka Carmeline Fernando
10. Third Secretary in the Paris Embassy – Sahasra Bandara.
11. Minister at the Moscow Embassy – Pandula de Soysa
12. Minister Counsellor at the New Delhi High Commission – Dr. Anwar Mohammad Hamdani 
13. Third Secretary in Beirut – Priyangika Dissanayake 
14. Second Secretary in Ankara – Yasmin Hilmi Mohamed
15. Counsellor at The Hague Embassy in the Netherlands – Ashwini Hapangama,
16. Minister Counsellor in Stockholm, Sweden –  Janaka Ranatunga

According to the report, measures are also underway to recall more individuals appointed to diplomatic positions based on political connections. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon has introduced helplines for Sri Lankan citizens residing in the country who are in distress due to the escalating conflict with Israel.

The hotlines have been introduced after Israeli air raids hitting mostly southern and eastern Lebanon killed at least 492 people and wounded at least 1,645.

According to the country’s health ministry, the attack is the deadliest day of conflict in Lebanon since its 1975-90 civil war.

Amidst the crisis, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon urged its citizens to contact the following hotlines for assistance. 

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The Sri Lankan Mission in Lebanon has issued a safety warning to Sri Lankans residing in the country, amidst the emergency that has arisen after thousands of blasts hit Hezbollah militants’ pagers and walkie-talkies this week.

Lebanon is reeling after several blasts hit Hezbollah’s pagers and walkie-talkies this week, killing dozens and wounding thousands.

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lankan Mission in Lebanon warned its citizens to temporarily refrain from visiting crowded places, public events, and long-distance tours.

The Sri Lankan Mission has also warned Sri Lankans to avoid using communication-related equipment during this period.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon has also introduced several emergency hotlines to assist Sri Lankans in distress. (Newswire)

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Cabinet approval has been granted for the establishment of a Sri Lankan Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The government has identified the need to establish a Sri Lankan Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan in order to further develop the existing diplomatic relations between the two nations. 

A great opportunity has been created for Sri Lanka to connect with the Central Asian region due to the establishment of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) in Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka being a member of the conference. 

As there is a significant increase in tourist arrivals from Kazakhstan to Sri Lanka, the establishment of a Sri Lankan embassy in Astana will help further promote tourism and cultural cooperation between the two countries, the government said.

As such, the Cabinet approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Foreign Affairs to establish the proposed Sri Lankan Embassy in Astana, Kazakhstan. (NewsWire)

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The Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka has announced that it will close on July 31, 2023, ending operations in Sri Lanka.

The Embassy said in a statement on its Facebook page that the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi will be responsible for Norway’s bilateral relationship with Sri Lanka and the Maldives from August 01.

Stating that its Facebook page, The Norwegian Embassy in Sri Lanka will be closed, the Embassy requested the public to follow the page of the Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi.

The Embassy stated that more updates on its ongoing cooperation with India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives will be available on the new Facebook page. 

Meanwhile, Norwegian Ambassador to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Trine Jøranli Eskedal stated that her Twitter account @NorwayAmbLK will not be updated. 

Trine Jøranli Eskedal requested the public to follow @norwayinindia for updates. (NewsWire)

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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Ankara decided to make the customary Ramadan donation for some of the survivors of the Earthquake who arrived in Ankara, this year.

The Embassy said in a statement that the devastating earthquakes on 6 February followed by over 6,000 aftershocks and flooding that occurred in the southeastern part of Turkiye, resulted in destroying over 50,000 lives and infrastructure spread over 10 provinces with over 110,000 sqm area. According to an offıcial estimate over 300,000 have migrated to Ankara, with most living in with relatives, friends and dormitories.

The Embassy stated that it decided to provide the donation boxes to people living in Alacaatlı Neighborhood of Cankaya District of the Ankara Province. The support for this group is extended by the local Neighborhood Muhtar who is the elected village head. Muhtars and their village councils are elected during local elections for five (05) years. Political parties are not permitted to nominate candidates for these posts.

The head of Muhtar, Hülya Erdoğan of Alacaatlı Neighborhood and her all-female volunteer team invited a group of survivors to gather at their office to receive the donation. The volunteer team along with Embassy staff and members of the Sri Lankan community distributed the donation boxes. The Ambassador also interacted with the group, who shared their horrific experiences, and how they are trying their best to be resilient.

The Ambassador also had discussions with Hülya Erdoğan and her team on their mandate which includes extending physical and mental support with counselling for survivors and funding. The Ambassador assured her support in their efforts.

The Embassy further stated that the Ambassador thanked the Embassy staff and some of the members of the Sri Lankan community who contributed to making the Ramadan donation packs and added that as the disaster occurred on the day that the formal reception of Sri Lanka’s 75th Anniversary of Independence was to take place, it was decided to add a special gift, in commemoration of the same. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka’s 75th Anniversary of Independence celebrations which was organised by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London on 8 February 2023 was graced by the Speaker of the House of Commons, The Right Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, as the Chief Guest.

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in London, Members of the Houses of Parliament, the Marshal of the Diplomatic Corps, Heads of Missions and members of the Diplomatic community, representatives of the British business community and friends and well-wishers were among the invitees to celebrate the special occasion.

The guests were treated to Sri Lankan cuisine and beverages, Ceylon ‘yara’ tea and Sri Lankan palmyrah products. The guests were also entertained by artists of Sri Lankan heritage who are cast members of West End theatre productions of ‘Hamilton’, ‘Juliet’ ‘Amelie’ and ‘Life of Pi’ Roshani Abbey and Nuwan Hugh Perera. The highlight of the evening was the Sri Lankan Airlines raffle draw and the winner, Lord J.D. Waverley took away two return tickets to Colombo.

The event, which was sponsored by BoardPac Ltd, De La Rue, Lion Beer, Elephant House beverages, Munchee Biscuits, Basilur Tea, Baraka, Silver Mill, Wichy Plantation, Jenvas Ltd, Palmyra Development Board, Traccular, Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) and Sri Lankan Airlines, was used as a platform to promote Sri Lankan products, food and beverages as well as Sri Lanka tourism. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry has offered the assistance of rescue services to the Foreign Minister of Turkiye following the two earthquakes that struck the country today (6).

The President’s Media Division (PMD) stated that Sri Lanka has offered its assistance on the instructions of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Turkiye has revealed that the 09 Sri Lankans who were living where the 7.8 magnitude quake struck in Turkiye are safe.

The Sri Lankan Embassy stated that 08 out of the 9 Sri Lankans living in the earthquake-affected areas have been traced.

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Ankara Hasanthi Urugodawatte Dissanayake stated that, however, the remaining Sri Lankan is yet to be located.

She stated that even though he was a resident of the apartment complex that collapsed due to the earthquake, he was not at home at the time of the incident and is yet to be contacted.

“As of now, we know that all nine of them are safe. We have received reports on eight of them and we were informed that the ninth person was living in one of the collapsed buildings. But later we came to know that that person was not in the building at the time of its collapse,” she said. 

The Ambassador stated that they are still unaware of the exact location of that person and that they are working on obtaining those details through the disaster management agency in that country. “That is all the information we have for now,” she said.

According to CNN, more than 1,500 people have been killed and thousands more injured after a powerful magnitude 7.8 earthquake struck Turkey and Syria early on Monday.

The quake, one of the strongest to hit the region in more than 100 years, struck 23 kilometers (14.2 miles) east of Nurdagi, in Turkey’s Gaziantep province, at a depth of 24.1 kilometers, the US Geological Survey said.

Multiple strong aftershocks have been felt across the region for hours after the first quake, including a severe quake measuring magnitude 7.5.

Turkey’s disaster agency appealed for help from the international community as it conducts search and rescue operations. (NewsWire)

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