• FM says no immediate need to expatriate
• Strap 2: Missions maintain round-the-clock contact 

As tensions continue to escalate across the Middle East following air strikes and retaliatory attacks, Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has assured that no immediate measures are required to facilitate the return of Sri Lankan workers from affected countries, despite the closure of airports in several parts of the region.

Responding to queries from The Daily Morning yesterday (1 March), the Ministry spokesman stated that no situation had arisen at present necessitating organised evacuations or assisted repatriation. He said the Ministry remained in close and continuous contact with Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions across the region and was carefully assessing the impact of the unfolding conflict on Sri Lankan communities. Appropriate action, he added, would be taken promptly should circumstances change.

With a total of 29,000 Sri Lankan workers currently employed in Israel, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Nimal Bandara reassured that there had been no casualties among Sri Lankan nationals following the recent air strike on Iran and the subsequent counter-attacks that have heightened tensions across the region.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (1), Ambassador Bandara confirmed that no foreign workers had been injured during the air strikes. He further stated that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Tel Aviv remained in 24-hour contact with Sri Lankans employed in Israel and had verified that all were safe.

However, due to the closure of airports following the escalation, four Sri Lankans travelling to Israel for employment are currently stranded at Dubai International Airport while awaiting a connecting flight. The Ambassador said they had been instructed to contact the Consulate General in Dubai and either wait for onward travel to Israel once flights resume or consider returning to Sri Lanka.

Ambassador Bandara also noted that he himself had been unable to leave Tel Aviv owing to the airport closure triggered by the air strike and was compelled to turn back.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Türkiye, Niluka Kadurugamuwa, stated that there was no conflict situation in that country and that Sri Lankans residing there faced no issues. “Our nationals are safe and fine, and we remain in contact with them at all times,” she said. The Ambassador further noted that Sri Lankans in Türkiye could contact the mission around the clock through its dedicated hotline in the event of any emergency.

Efforts to reach Counsellor and Head of Chancery Gajithra Navan, Attaché for Iran Udeshika Lakmal, and Attaché for Ramallah Mahinda Kumara for further updates were unsuccessful at the time of going to press.

According to official estimates, approximately 350,000 Sri Lankans are employed in the United Arab Emirates, 175,000 in Kuwait, 140,000 in Qatar, 14,500 in Jordan, 35 in Iran, and four in Palestine. The figures underscore the scale of the Sri Lankan workforce across the Middle East and the potential implications any prolonged instability in the region could carry for migrant workers and their families back home.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released emergency contact numbers for Sri Lankans living in the Middle East amid the deteriorating security situation.

Sri Lanka’s respective foreign missions have urged nationals to remain vigilant, strictly follow instructions issued by the authorities of their host countries, including Saudi authorities where applicable, and rely solely on official information sources for updates. Sri Lankans have also been advised to avoid travelling to areas subject to security advisories, refrain from spreading unverified information, and ensure that their identification and travel documents are readily accessible at all times.

The Ministry reiterated that it continues to monitor developments closely and will take all necessary measures to safeguard the welfare and security of Sri Lankan nationals in the region as the situation evolves.