Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps  (IRGC) says it has hit US fighter jets stationed in Jordan, Iranian state TV reports.

Iranian state media reported that US military communications systems and fuel storage tanks at the Azraq military base in Jordan had been targeted. 

The Jordanian army said it shot down three Iranian missiles targeting the country.

Iran has also claimed to have destroyed High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) platforms and missiles in attacks on Kuwait at several locations, where Tehran said American forces and Israeli-backed fighters are stationed.

Iranian attacks eliminated “a large number of anti-revolutionaries and American special forces [and] the tit-for-tat operations are ongoing,” the IRGC said in a statement. (Al Jazeera/ Reuters)

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A four-day photo exhibition titled “Explore Sri Lanka” was inaugurated at the Royal Cultural Centre in Amman, Jordan, last week (01), presenting a captivating collection of photographs highlighting Sri Lanka’s rich cultural heritage, pristine landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant traditions.

According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Amman, the exhibition was inaugurated by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Jordan, J.A.D.S. Priyangika Wijegunasekara, together with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture of Jordan, Nidal Ibrahim.

The exhibition has been launched to inspire Jordanian audiences to experience the beauty and hospitality of Sri Lanka as a premier travel destination.

“This photo exhibition is not only an artistic celebration but also a cultural bridge between our two nations and invites visitors to explore the scenic beauty and hospitality of Sri Lanka through these images, welcoming more international travellers”, stated Ambassador Wijejunasekara, opening the exhibition.

Secretary General Ibrahim conveyed wishes for a successful event, welcoming the initiatives of the Embassy for promoting Sri Lankan culture in collaboration with the Royal Cultural Centre in Amman.

The event was graced by the members of the diplomatic community, cultural leaders, travel enthusiasts, tour agents, and media representatives. It was part of ongoing initiatives to promote cultural and tourism exchanges between Sri Lanka and Jordan.

It aimed to strengthen people-to-people ties, encourage tourism cooperation, and provide the public with an authentic glimpse into the island nation’s unique charm. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lankan Food Fair-2025 was held by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Amman, in collaboration with the Sri Lankan community in Jordan, recently (11 Apr).

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy, the event showcased authentic Sri Lankan cuisine and the great culinary variety that Sri Lanka offers, while also fostering cultural exchanges between the two countries. 

The visitors enjoyed authentic Sri Lankan food, including kottu roti,  hoppers, string hoppers, dosai, Sri Lankan rice and curry, short eats, traditional sweetmeats, snacks prepared at a live culinary station, and beverages including Ceylon black tea, flavoured and iced tea. The dishes were arranged by a group of Sri Lankans in Jordan. 

All main dishes and ingredients used at the event were specially imported from Sri Lanka, ensuring an authentic culinary experience for the guests. The event not only celebrated the diversity and richness of Sri Lankan cuisine but also aimed to promote Sri Lanka as a top travel destination among Jordanians and expatriates residing in Jordan.

During her interactions with the visitors at the event, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Jordan, J.A.D.S. Priyangika Wijegunasekara, stated that events such as the Sri Lankan Food Fair-2025 would further enhance the people-to-people ties between the two countries.

The event attracted over 300 visitors, including the diplomatic community, Jordanians, other foreign nationals, Sri Lankans, the business community, and media personnel. (Newswire)

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A 59-year-old man has been sentenced to 12 years of rigorous imprisonment for sending an underaged girl as a domestic worker to Jordan. 

The accused is reported to have created a fake birth certificate and National Identity Card (NIC) for the minor, who was living with her grandmother. 

Issuing the judgement, Colombo High Court judge Nawaratne Marasinghe imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000 on the accused and also ordered him to pay a compensation of Rs. 300,000 to the victim.

The justice warned that failure to pay the compensation would result in an additional 1 ½ years of jail term. 

The judge pointed out that the aggrieved girl had been subjected to torture and abuse by the householders she worked for within two months of going abroad and had later returned to Sri Lanka in 2008.

The judge noted that if she had not returned, the girl could have suffered the same fate as Rizana Nafeek, who was executed in the Middle East.

This indictment against the accused, a father of three from Kalmunai, is being presented to the court after nine years following investigations conducted regarding the girl. (Newswire)

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The Governments of Sri Lanka and Jordan have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on a Political Consultation Mechanism to establish a framework for expanding cooperation and exchanging views on a variety of areas of mutual interest.

According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Amman, the agreement was signed by the Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Jordan J.A.D.S. Priyangika Wijegunasekara and Secretary General of Jordan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Majed Thaliji Alqatarneh in Amman recently (July 10).

The Secretary-General said that the signing of this agreement will deepen engagements and facilitate greater people-to-people contacts between Jordan and Sri Lanka.

Expressing her gratitude to Secretary General Alqatarneh and the Government of Jordan for their commitment to enhancing cooperation and their desire to explore new avenues for collaboration between Sri Lanka and Jordan, Ambassador Wijegunasekara highlighted that the signing of this MOU marked a significant milestone in several decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. 

The Ambassador emphasized that this MOU will establish a mechanism to officially hold regular political consultations to review bilateral cooperation in various areas between the two countries and exchange views on regional and international issues of common interest.

Head of the Asia and Pacific Division Ambassador Mohammad Abu Wendi, Head of the Legal Division of the Jordanian Foreign Ministry Ambassador Motaz Hiasat and officials of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Amman were present at the signing ceremony. (Newswire)

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The first batch of 59 Sri Lankans out of 221 employees of two apparel factories who were facing difficulties in Jordan have been repatriated. 

According to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Amman, the group, with their salary dues, social security benefits and other entitlements, were repatriated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan in coordination with Jordanian authorities.

The Sri Lankan Embassy said its efforts will continue to repatriate the rest of the Sri Lankan employees as early as possible in consultation with the Jordanian authorities. 

The welfare of the remaining Sri Lankan workers will be ensured until their repatriation, the Sri Lankan Mission added. (NewsWire)

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Reports have emerged of nearly 350 Sri Lankans employed at an apparel factory in the Sahabi area in Jordan facing dire conditions, due to the non-payment of salaries.

According to the affected group, the management of the factory has not paid salaries over the last 18 months.

They claim that this has resulted in the Sri Lankans being stuck in their hostels without food and water, and with some falling severely ill.

Making their plight known via a video message, the affected Sri Lankans further said that even though the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan has been informed of their situation, no probe or action has been taken in this regard yet. 

They have requested the Sri Lankan authorities to repatriate them before the situation results in the loss of lives. (NewsWire)

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Thirty-one (31) Sri Lankans who have been granted deportation orders by the Jordanian authorities returned to Sri Lanka last week (Oct 27).

The deportation was facilitated by the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan in collaboration with the Public Security Directorate of Jordan.

Issuing a statement, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan said these Sri Lankans entered Jordan on July 22, 2023, on visit/tourist visas with the anticipation of finding job opportunities. 

Subsequently, they were arrested by the North Amman police station and detained in correction centres following a decision made by the North Amman court on October 12, 2023.

The issue of migrant workers arriving on visit/tourist visas and overstaying or attempting to cross international borders illegally has been a recurring trend in the past. From January 2023 up to the present, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan has been actively involved in facilitating the deportation of approximately 120 stranded Sri Lankans, with support extended by the Jordan authorities.

The Embassy officials visited the correction centres to ensure the welfare and safety during their stay. The stranded Sri Lankans were provided essential humanitarian support including medical assistance and access to basic necessities by the Jordanian authorities, it said.

The Sri Lankan Embassy further advised Sri Lankans not to arrive in Jordan on visit/tourist visas without a confirmed job opportunity and required visa, stating that many male and female Sri Lankans continue to fall victim to human smuggling and are subsequently subjected to deportation after being held in correction centres.

The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Jordan requested all Sri Lankans to seek overseas job opportunities legally and to register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before their departure. (NewsWire/ File pic)

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Two Sri Lankan women arrested two days ago by Israeli and Jordanian border guards while illegally entering Israeli territory are to be sent back to Jordan, it was reported. 

According to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tel Aviv, the two Sri Lankans had entered Israel illegally through the Jordanian border

Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel Nimal Bandara said the identity of the two women has been confirmed, one a 50-year-old and the other a 44-year-old.

Ambassador Bandara further said that it had been decided that the two women would be sent back to Jordan.

He further said that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel will work with the Sri Lankan Embassy in Jordan regarding the safety and future affairs of both of the women.

The two women are reported to have illegally entered Israeli territory at a time when Israel and Palestine were in conflict. 

A Sri Lankan woman living in Israel has reportedly been killed in the ongoing conflict, while another woman is reported missing and a man is injured.

Meanwhile, Sri Lankan representatives in Palestine reported yesterday that persons from three Sri Lankan families in Southern Gaza are currently safe.

The representatives further said that they have made requests from the Red Cross to be evacuated from Gaza. (NewsWire)

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Seven Sri Lankans who had attempted to illegally enter Israel on Wednesday (Aug 16) have been apprehended by the Jordanian Army.

According to The Arab News, the Jordanian army announced on its website that Jordan thwarted an attempt by seven Sri Lankans to illegally enter Israel on Wednesday morning.

Citing a source in its general command, the military said the seven were arrested by border forces and handed over to the relevant authorities.

The source further said that the armed forces will deal firmly with infiltration or smuggling attempts to protect the borders and national security.

The Jordanian-Israeli border has witnessed instances of infiltration in previous years by people coming from Africa, Asia and Turkey to seek employment in Israel.

According to Israeli authorities, 52 people illegally infiltrated from Jordan last year and 23 did so in the first quarter of 2023. (NewsWire)

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