The Sri Lankan Mission in Israel has said that several reports circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms claiming that a Sri Lankan worker in Israel has been stranded are misleading.

Issuing a statement, Sri Lankan Ambassador Nimal Bandara said the 42-year-old man had arrived in Israel in August under the government quota scheme of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment to work in the construction sector.

Shortly after the Sri Lanka man’s arrival, he began consuming alcohol heavily and spent time wandering in various places instead of reporting to his assigned job, and had eventually abandoned his workplace, the Ambassador said.

Clarifying that the individual had a history of heavy drinking in Sri Lanka and had previously undergone rehabilitation, Ambassador Nimal Bandara said he had been persuaded to return to Sri Lanka, but had absconded.

Stating that the individual had been located in the Jerusalem, Netanya, and Bathiyam areas by the authorities, Ambassador Nimal Bandara said he is scheduled to be brought to the Embassy today and will subsequently be handed over to Israeli immigration authorities.

“It is deeply regrettable that, while this matter has been managed responsibly, misleading news continues to circulate on social media based on inaccurate information,” the Ambassador added.

Note: Changes have been made from Israeli religious authorities to Israeli immigration authorities per the change made in the official press statement.

The full statement of Ambassador Nimal Bandara;

I would like to clarify that several reports circulating on Facebook and other social media platforms claiming that a Sri Lankan worker in Israel has been stranded are misleading.

The individual concerned arrived in Israel on 9th August 2025 under the government quota scheme of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau to work in the construction sector. He is 42 years old, married, and has one child.

However, shortly after his arrival, he began consuming alcohol heavily and spent time wandering in various places instead of reporting to his assigned job. He eventually abandoned his workplace. It is noteworthy that he had a history of heavy drinking in Sri Lanka and had previously undergone rehabilitation.

On 30th August 2025, his parents reported the matter to the Treasury, and they were advised to persuade him to return to Sri Lanka. I also requested him to provide the necessary documents to facilitate his return.

Despite this, on 5th September 2025, when it was discovered that he was in Jerusalem, the Israeli police were informed, and he was admitted to Shaare Zedek Medical Centre under police custody due to his poor physical condition.

He was expected to be handed over to Israeli immigration authorities; however, he left the hospital the same night. Later, on 9th September 2025, he returned to his residence and stated that he had secured a new job.

On 16th September 2025, following information from a Sri Lankan resident, Nadun Iduwara, regarding his presence in the Netanya area, the police were notified. He was located and detained temporarily for about four hours. Since he had not committed any crime, the police released him, after which he once again absconded from the care of the community members assisting him.

A video clip of him surfaced from the Bathiyam area on 17th September 2025. He is scheduled to be brought to the Embassy today and will subsequently be handed over to Israeli immigration authorities.

It is deeply regrettable that, while this matter has been managed responsibly, misleading news continues to circulate on social media based on inaccurate information. Furthermore, the publication of his name, village, passport details, and photographs constitutes a serious violation of his privacy. (Newswire)

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Three individuals, including a woman, were brought before a Malaysian court on charges of arranging the smuggling of a Sri Lankan national in July.

The accused — Malaysians G. Santhiya Darshini, 27, and Janarthanan Appupillai, 46, along with Sri Lankan national Vtheewaran Palani, 48 — acknowledged understanding the charge, which was read in Tamil before the Judge. No plea was recorded, as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

The trio is accused of arranging the smuggling of a Sri Lankan migrant through Terminal 1 of Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on July 10. They were charged under Section 26C of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read with Section 34 of the Penal Code. If convicted, they face up to 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both.

Meanwhile, 21-year-old Sri Lankan national Antany Sujan Antany Ranjan was charged with using a false passport in another person’s name to facilitate migrant smuggling at the KLIA international departure gate.

He was charged under Section 26E of the same Act, which carries a penalty of seven to 15 years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM500,000, or both. No plea was recorded.

Deputy Public Prosecutors Anisah Pisol and Norhidayah Abdullah Sani opposed bail and requested all cases be transferred to the Shah Alam High Court. The court approved the transfer. (TheStar/Newswire)

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A delegation of 24 young political leaders from 14 Sri Lankan parties has arrived in India, marking the start of a two‑week official visit. The group met with Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.

“Foreign Secretary emphasised their valuable role in deepening the #IndiaSriLanka partnership as stakeholders in its future roadmap,” Indian External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. (Newswire)

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The Sri Lanka High Commission in London, in collaboration with NLC Consultants-UK, hosted the “Sri Lanka Business Promotion Dialogue” on January 31, 2025, as part of a new initiative to support Sri Lankan startup SMEs in the UK.

Delivering the opening remarks, Minister (Commercial) of the High Commission, Somasena Mahadiulwewa elaborated on the goals to be achieved through a series of events which are to develop businesses of Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the UK, including promoting and creating an international market for Sri Lankan origin products in the UK, and enhancing the related employability for Sri Lankans in the UK etc.

Minister (Commercial) Mahadiulwewa also mentioned that this is the 1^st event of this kind organised by the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London and it will continue to hold several similar events in other regions of the UK.

He also stated that following the series of events, a dedicated SME Entrepreneurs’ Hub is expected to be established at the High Commission, in line with the vision of the new government and under guidance of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the other related ministries in Sri Lanka.

During the event, Fellow Chartered Accountant and Managing Director of Sonic Builders in London, Ranganath Abeykoonge shared his business experience among the participants. Managing Director Abeykoonge who has working experience at many UK companies including at TK Maxx, delivered a presentation on the success story of his own company while encouraging, particularly young Sri Lankans to grab any business opportunities in the UK while creating new job opportunities for fellow Sri Lankans.

Past member of Sri Lanka AAT Council, Thilak Dharmarathne who is an MBA holder, and the Director of NLC Consultants-UK,  addressed the gathering and delivered a presentation on how to develop and penetrate into new business opportunities.

A panel discussion headed by Minister (Commercial) Mahadiulwewa was also held as part of the event. During the discussions, a panel of experts shared insights into several key areas:   Chartered Accountant, Nayana Kularathne on keeping company accounts and tax files etc.; Sri Lankan lawyer and the Director of  NLC Consultants – UK  Heshan Mathugamage  on company business startup; UK Solicitor, Mohamed Sameen on legal process related questions and HR Consultant, Kosaka Perera on the UK’s HR and employment policies etc.

Minister (Commercial) Mahadiulwewa also shared details on the duty free opportunities available for Sri Lankan exporters to enter the UK market under the UK’s Developing Countries Trading Scheme (DCTS), a facility formally announced by the UK authorities on 19 June 2023.

He also outlined the UK’s regulations on the requirements of product labeling, food and other product standards for the benefit of potential participants. A brief list of the existing and potential export items from Sri Lanka to the UK and the details for investment and tourism related opportunities available in Sri Lanka were briefly presented by Minister (Commercial) Mahadiulwewa during the Q&A session.

This first interactive dialogue was attended by 30 potential Sri Lankan entrepreneurs in the UK. The dialogue was carried out in Sinhala, Tamil and English, and the next dialogue would be held in Manchester in April 2025. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan internationally wanted for a murder committed in Bucharest in 1991, is to be brought to Romania on April 23 to serve a 19-year prison sentence.

According to the Romania Insider, the 53-year-old man from Sri Lanka was arrested in Germany at the beginning of this year, nearly 33 years after the incident. 

The man will be brought to the country by an escort of the Romanian Police.

“In December 1991, the man killed a foreign citizen, after which he tied him up and wrapped him in a carpet from his residence in Bucharest and transported him to the Crângași neighborhood, throwing him into Lake Morii. For this crime, he was sentenced to 19 years in prison,” the police press release states.

Receiving reports that the man was in Germany, the Romanian Police cooperated with its German counterpart and had the man arrested in Moers, Germany, on January 3.

After being brought back to the country, the individual will be incarcerated to serve the sentence. (Newswire)

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Eight Sri Lankan nationals who were detained at an illegal cyber slave camp in Myanmar, which is part of a human trafficking racket, have been rescued, it was reported.

According to News1st, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar Janaka Bandara said the Myanmar Home Affairs Ministry has officially confirmed the rescue of the eight Sri Lankans.

Stating that the group includes six males and two females, he further said that the Sri Lankans are at the Myamaddi Police Station, which is in a region that is operated by the Government of Myanmar.

The Ambassador added that the Sri Lankan Mission, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and other relevant authorities will work towards the safe return of the rescued Sri Lankans. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar, has been engaged in efforts to rescue and repatriate around 56 Sri Lankans who became victims of human trafficking and were trapped in Myanmar.

In December last year, it was reported that the group 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 latter 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. (NewsWire)

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Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sought assistance from the public to identify the next of kin of a Sri Lankan who is reported to have passed away in Lebanon.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Lebanon has informed the Consular Affairs Division of Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry of the demise of Mrs. Jayasooriyage Priyanthika Nilakanthi.

According to a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry, the Sri Lankan national is reported to have passed away in Lebanon today (01).

The Ministry shared the following details of Mrs. Jayasooriyage Priyanthika Nilakanthi:

NIC: 797631574v

Passport No: N5758240

Address : 117, Yaya 06, Warawewa, Chillaw & 247/3, Habarakada, Homagama. 

The Foreign Ministry has requested those with information on the relatives of the deceased to contact the ministry via its hotlines 011238836 / 0117711163 / 0112323015, or via its email; consular@mfa.gov.lk (NewsWire)

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