Repatriation process “People Centric and Transparent” For Min sets record straight

The Foreign Ministry will continue facilitating repatriations without any financial burden on Sri Lankans, the Foreign Secretary asserted responding to misinformation in the public domain. Secretary Jayanath Colombage made it clear that the role of the Missions is strictly confined to organizing repatriation flights for returnees who are tested on arrival, offered all logistical support […]

“India will always be a dependable partner and reliable friend to Sri Lanka” says EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar

Visiting Minister of External Affairs of India Dr. S.Jaishankar held bilateral talks with Foreign Minister Dinesh Gunawardena yesterday and discussed multiple areas of bilateral cooperation was taken up, including economic, financial, trade and investment cooperation, cultural exchanges, defence and security, development cooperation as well as Covid 19 pandemic response. Both sides agreed to continue the […]

68,000 Sri Lankans awaiting return: Foreign Secretary

Despite the worsening global situation triggered by the Covid pandemic, the process of repatriation of Sri Lankans, one of the most pressing challenges at hand has been judiciously spear headed by the Foreign Ministry under the directive of Minister Dinesh Gunawardana, enduring insurmountable challenges overseas amid lockdowns, isolations, curfews and closure of air space, to ensure swift return of Sri Lankans who are in distress. Since the evacuation of 33 students from Wuhan City, in February 2019, the Ministry has been carrying out the task of repatriation for almost a year now and […]

Sri Lanka to launch e-Land Registration programme by August

Jun 30, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s e-Land Registration programme is expected to launch by August this year with the support of the Information & Communication Technology Agency (ICTA), President’s Media Division said. Under this programme, an e-Passbook will be issued for the lands registered under the e-Land Registration system. With the new registration programme, […]

Sri Lanka raises concerns on reference to SL in OHCHR press release

Jun 09, 2020 (LBO) – Sri Lanka’s Acting Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva, Dayani Mendis, in a letter addressed to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, has raised concerns regarding the allegations made in a press release issued by the High Commissioner on 03 June 2020 regarding “clampdown” […]

Lebanon to conduct free PCR tests for Sri Lankans seeking to be repatriated

Jun 06, 2020 (LBO) – The government of Lebanon has agreed to conduct free PCR tests for Sri Lankans seeking to be repatriated, the Ministry of Foreign Relations said. In line with the Sri Lanka policy on repatriating Sri Lankans overseas, Ambassador Shani Calyaneratne Karunaratne had discussions with the Lebanese Minister of Labour, Madame Lamia […]

Seychelles HC clarifies on the arrival of 35 Seychelles nationals to Sri Lanka

STATEMENT from SEYCHELLES HIGH COMMISSION On behalf of the Government of Seychelles, we wish to place on record our gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka, its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Health, for enabling the visit of a group of 35 citizens of Seychelles, 24 of whom require urgent medical care, of […]

Over 38,000 Sri Lankans in 143 countries seek to return home

May 18, 2020 (LBO) – Over 38,983 Overseas Sri Lankans (OSLs) in 143 countries at present seek to return home, based on information gathered mainly through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Web Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. This comprises 3,078 students, 4,040 short term visa holders, 27,854 Migrant workers, 3527 dependents and 484 duel […]

Local epidemiology should guide focused action in ‘new normal’ COVID-19 world: WHO

May 15, 2020 (LBO) – Amid rising cases of COVID-19 and as countries in WHO South-East Asia Region ease lockdowns in a graded manner, WHO today said careful assessment of local epidemiology should guide future actions to combat the virus. “Countries in the Region must continue to take evidence-informed action and conduct careful risk assessments […]

WHO and DFAT donate vital equipment and supplies to fight COVID-19 in Sri Lanka

May 11, 2020 (LBO) – The World Health Organization (WHO) handed over a donation of essential laboratory equipment, hospital equipment, personal protective equipment, and consumables to the Government of Sri Lanka to address the COVID-19 crisis. The procurement, of over 800,000 USD, focused on equipment that is essential to effectively controlling COVID-19 in Sri Lanka. […]

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