The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel says 17 Sri Lankans have registered to travel on the flight operated by the Indian government, to be repatriated to Sri Lanka. 

Providing a situation update as of 04.00 am today, Sri Lankan Ambassador Nimal Bandara said that the group is scheduled to depart from Amman Airport in Jordan to New Delhi in India tomorrow (25 June).

Ambassador Nimal Bandara further stated that, additionally, 20 individuals have registered with the Embassy to travel to Sri Lanka via Egypt in the coming days, adding that so far, five have already arrived in Sri Lanka.

The arrangements have been made after the Government of India recently informed Sri Lanka of the possibility of arranging flights for Sri Lankans in Israel to be repatriated home.  

The Sri Lankan Ambassador also revealed that, according to the latest information, 219 individuals who travelled to Sri Lanka for holidays are scheduled to return to Israel.

“The Population and Immigration Authority 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. All airlines have been informed, and passengers will be able to travel to Israel without any hindrance once flights resume,” he said.

Ambassador Nimal Bandara further said that although several missile attacks were reported from Iran over the past 24 hours, no injuries have been reported.

“International media, citing an official statement by the U.S. President, report that Israel and Iran have agreed to a complete ceasefire. However, the Israeli government has not yet made an official statement regarding this development,” he added. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka Police state two of the four suspects that were arrested in India yesterday (18 Feb) were brought back to Sri Lanka this afternoon. 

According to the Police, Constable Ravindu Sandeepa, who allegedly aided the escape attempt of alleged drug racketeer Nadun Chinthaka alias  ‘Haraka Kata’, is also among the two suspects repatriated from India today. 

The Police said that based on a request from Sri Lanka Police the INTERPOL had issued Red Notices on the suspects and they were arrested in India.

Two of the suspects had been repatriated to Sri Lanka by officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) this afternoon. (Newswire)

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A total of 56 Pakistani prisoners have been returned to Pakistan from Sri Lanka, with the repatriation taking place on Monday.

The group, consisting of five women and 51 men, arrived in Pakistan on a specially chartered flight.

Pakistan and Sri Lanka had agreed to facilitate the return of prisoners incarcerated in Sri Lankan jails for the last several years during meetings in May and then again in July.

Back-to-back discussions were held between Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and the Sri Lankan High Commissioner, Admiral (r) Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne in this regard.

It is reported that the repatriation comes after three months of coordination between the two countries. (Newswire)

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Eight Sri Lankans who were rescued from cyber scam trafficking in Myanmar have been safely repatriated to Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced today. 

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said, in coordination with Sri Lanka Missions in Myanmar and Thailand, they were able to successfully facilitate the repatriation of the eight Sri Lankans who were trafficked for forced criminal activities in cyber scamming compounds in Myanmar. 

Myanmar’s law enforcement authorities rescued these Sri Lankans on April 04, 2024, following the request by the Government of Sri Lanka. The Sri Lanka Embassy officials in Bangkok received them on April 11, 2024, at the Mae Sot border gate in Thailand, after which they were brought to Bangkok and provided accommodation until their repatriation was arranged with the assistance of the International Organization for Migration. 

The International Organization for Migration provided logistical assistance in repatriating the rescued Sri Lankans. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Myanmar, through the Eden Foundation, a charity organization based in Myanmar, provided them with food and other necessities during their temporary stay at the Myawaddy Police Station following the rescue from traffickers. 

The Consular Affairs Division of the Foreign Ministry coordinated the repatriation process in collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and Director General/Consular Affairs of the Foreign Ministry A.S.K Senavirthne received the eight Sri Lankans at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA). 

Upon their arrival, the eight Sri Lankans expressed their deep appreciation to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its persistent efforts in ensuring their safe return to Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs further expressed its sincere appreciation to the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand as well as other stakeholders, including IOM for their assistance in this regard. 

In December last year, it was reported that a group of 56 Sri Lankans had been brought to Thailand for jobs related to the IT Industry and instead had been held captive at a camp in the Cyber Criminal area operated by a terrorist group in Myanmar.

Reports at the time revealed that the group of Sri Lankans were being subjected to inhumane treatment by the terrorist group, with the terrorists demanding US$ 8000 per person for their release. 

Following a discussion with the Myanmar authorities, the Embassy of Sri Lanka was able to last year rescue 32 Sri Lankans who were held captive.

Thereafter, discussions were underway between Sri Lankan and Myanmar authorities to rescue the remaining 56 Sri Lankans who were being held captive, out of which the authorities managed to rescue 08 Sri Lankans. (Newswire)

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Two displaced Palestinian families, consisting of women of Sri Lankan origin, have managed to safely arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (Jan 03), it was reported.

According to the Palestine Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dr. Zuhair Dar Zaid, the two families are of both Sri Lankan and Palestine origin, with the mothers of the two families being Sri Lankan Muslims.

During a press conference headed by the Palestine Ambassador Dr. Zuhair Dar Zaid, the women revealed their plight in Palestine following the outbreak of conflict with Israel. 

They claimed that they were forced to abandon their homes in Gaza and move to shelters, which were also bombarded by Israeli forces. 

Stating that they did not even have passports, they said the Sri Lankan Embassy helped them obtain passports for their travel to Sri Lanka. 

The women further said that their children have been traumatized by the conflict, while their education too has come to a standstill, adding that the language barrier will further affect their education. 

Meanwhile, the Palestine Ambassador in Sri Lanka Dr. Zuhair Dar Zaid expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan Government for assisting the two families to leave the Gaza Strip and arrive in Sri Lanka. (NewsWire)

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The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Oman facilitated the repatriation of 32 stranded Sri Lankan migrant workers in August (17).  

The Embassy said in a statement that the repatriation was carried out in collaboration with the Omani Foreign Ministry and the Department of Immigration of the Royal Oman Police.

These migrants had entered Oman on visit/tourist visas with the anticipation of finding jobs and subsequently overstayed their visas without securing proper employment.  

The issue of migrant workers arriving on visit/tourist visas and then overstaying due to a lack of viable employment has been a challenge faced by many potential workers, it said.

The Sri Lankan Embassy further said that from November 2022 to date the Embassy has facilitated the repatriation of more than 400 stranded migrants with support extended by the Omani authorities.

The Sri Lanka Embassy in Oman identified the group of 32 stranded illegal migrants and their situation was individually assessed to understand their circumstances and requirements.  The Embassy engaged with the respective Government stakeholders in Oman to obtain a visa overstay penalty waiver for the said group along with the necessary documentation and travel arrangements for repatriation. 

Throughout the repatriation process, the stranded workers were provided with essential humanitarian support, including medical assistance, accommodation, and access to basic necessities by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman. The Oman Sri Lanka Social Club and many well-wishers supported the Embassy during this process, it said.

The Embassy strongly advised Sri Lankans not to arrive on a visit/tourist visa without confirmed jobs, since many male and female workers are continuing to fall victim to human traffickers and end up in the streets under harsh weather conditions.  

The Embassy also requests all Sri Lankans to seek jobs only through licensed agencies and register with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before arriving in Oman. (NewsWire)

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Australian authorities today deported 41 Sri Lankans who had illegally entered the country, Sri Lanka’s Immigration and Emigration authorities reported.

According to Mawbima, the group had been arrested by Australia’s Security Force after having illegally entered the country via sea.

They were placed at Christman Island following their detention and were deported to Sri Lanka today on a special flight. 

The group which was deported via Australian flight ASY – 013 arrived at the Katunayake Airport at 09.40 am today. 

The deported group consists of a majority of residents from Jaffna and Valachchenai, while it is reported that they had travelled to Australia in a multiday fishing trawler.

Three officials from the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka were present at the airport to receive the deported group who had been accompanied by a group of Australian Security Forces personnel.

The group was handed over to Sri Lankan Immigration and Emigration officials by the accompanying Australian Security Forces personnel.

They were questioned by the State Intelligence Service after which they were handed over to officials from the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) at the airport.

After being questioned by the CID, the group is expected to be produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court. (NewsWire)

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