The Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel has announced that Sri Lankans must hold a valid Israeli visa to travel from Israel to Sri Lanka via Egypt, due to ongoing security concerns.

This follows an incident where four Sri Lankans were detained and questioned by Egyptian authorities at the TABA border, prompting diplomatic discussions between Sri Lankan envoys in Israel and Egypt.

Ambassador Nimal Bandara stressed that those without valid Israeli visas will not be repatriated via Egypt, even in emergencies, and should remain in Israel until Ben Gurion Airport reopens.

The regional situation has worsened, with ongoing missile and airstrikes between Iran and Israel causing hundreds of casualties.