The Sri Lanka Navy has evacuated 37 persons who were trapped by a landslide in the Unuwinna area of Maoya-Kosgalanda, Hanguranketha, yesterday (27). 

According to the Navy, the collapse of an earth mound had blocked the only road to the Unuwinna Village in Maoya, stranding 17 families. 

The Navy relief team, assisted by local residents, safely guided all the individuals, including 18 children, to secure locations. (Newswire)

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In light of the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel, the Government of Sri Lanka has been actively working over the past several days to ensure the safety of Sri Lankan nationals in Iran.

According to reports, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reached out to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs through the Indian High Commission in Colombo, requesting assistance for the evacuation of Sri Lankan nationals.

India has reportedly agreed to support the process, provided Sri Lankan nationals can reach locations from which border crossings are feasible. Diplomatic missions of both countries are said to be in contact regarding the matter.

Meanwhile, India has already commenced the evacuation of its citizens under its Operation Sindhu. 

The first group of 110 Indian students was evacuated from northern Iran, assisted across the border into Armenia on 17 June 2025, and later flown to New Delhi from Yerevan in the early hours of 19 June. (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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Another group of Sri Lankans have been evacuated from Sudan with the assistance of Saudi Arabia.

The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka Khalid Hamoud Al-Kahtani stated that the group was among 212 people who had been evacuated from Sudan.

Ambassador Khalid Hamoud Al-Kahtani that the evacuees had arrived in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia last evening (01).

The evacuations are being conducted under the directives of the Saudi Kingdom’s Leadership.

The group evacuated yesterday consisted of 41 Saudi citizens and 171 people from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Comoros, Ukraine, Madagascar, the UK, Syria and the USA. 

They were transported by the Saudi King’s ship “Abha”, bringing the total number of evacuees from Sudan since the evacuations began to approximately 5409 persons consisting of 225 Saudi citizens and 5184 individuals from 102 nationalities.

The Saudi Kingdom has expressed its keenness to provide all the necessary needs in preparation for facilitating their departure to their countries. 

The evacuations come after fighting broke out between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan on 15 April in which at least 400 people have been killed. (NewsWire)

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Another group of citizens from various countries have been evacuated by Saudi Arabia from crisis-hit Sudan, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to Sri Lanka Khalid Hamoud Al-Kahtani said. 

Ambassador Al-Kahtani said in a statement that the continuing evacuation efforts are being made by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia under the directives of the Kingdom’s leadership.

He further stated that 5 Saudi nationals arrived in the city of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday evening.

Meanwhile, 198 people from Russia, the UK, China, the USA, Uzbekistan, Yemen, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia and Pakistan had also been evacuated as of last evening. 

The Saudi Ambassador stated that the evacuation was carried out through the ship of His Majesty the King “Abha” of the Kingdom.

The evacuations carried out as of yesterday bring the total number of evacuees from Sudan, since the start of the evacuation operations, to 2351 people consisting of 119 Saudi citizens, and 2232 people of 67 nationalities.

A group of 13 Sri Lankans were also evacuated with the assistance of Saudi Arabia, from Sudan and arrived in Jeddah last morning (26).

The Ambassador added that Saudi Arabia is keen to provide foreign nationals with all the basic needs in preparation for facilitating their departure to their countries.

The evacuations come after fighting broke out between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan on 15 April in which at least 400 people have been killed. (NewsWire)

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The first group of Sri Lankan citizens have been safely evacuated from crisis-hit Sudan, Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry said on Wednesday (26).

Taking to Twitter, Minister Sabry stated that the group was evacuated to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and was welcomed by the Acting Consulate General of the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Jeddah.

Minister Ali Sabry further extended his gratitude to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for facilitating the safe evacuation of the Sri Lankan citizens from Sudan.

The evacuation comes after fighting broke out between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan on 15 April in which at least 400 people have been killed.

Commenting on the Sudan crisis, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry stated yesterday that Sri Lanka is actively working on the safe evacuation of its citizens from Sudan and that it has been closely following the situation of Sri Lankans in Sudan.

Minister Sabry also revealed that the safe evacuation of Sri Lankans from Sudan can be achieved in the next few days. (NewsWire)

The first group of Sri Lankans have been successfully evacuated from #Sudan! They were received on disembarking at #Jeddah by our actg.Consulate General @SLinJeddah. We are grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for supporting @KSAMOFA @KSAembassylk @MFA_SriLanka pic.twitter.com/PyadA3LQNf

— M U M Ali Sabry (@alisabrypc) April 26, 2023

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Sri Lanka is actively working on the safe evacuation of its citizens from Sudan, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said on Wednesday (25). 

Taking to Twitter, the Minister stated that Sri Lanka has been closely following the situation of Sri Lankans in Sudan.

Stating that the safe evacuation of Sri Lankans from Sudan can be achieved in the next few days, Minister Sabry also extended his gratitude to India for its offer of support in this regard. 

At least 400 people have been killed since fighting broke out between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April.

However, a ceasefire in Sudan so far appears to be holding after taking effect at midnight on Monday (22).

Several countries have already evacuated their citizens and diplomats, while support has also been provided for the safe evacuation of stranded citizens of other nations. (NewsWire)

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