SL Missions work on safety of expats in South Asia

Tuesday, 31 March 2020 11:36 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka Missions in South Asia, in collaboration with the Foreign Ministry, have been closely engaging with the Sri Lankan communities overseas and are working towards assisting and facilitating the many Sri Lankan expatriates in the region in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foreign Relations Ministry said today.

Databases of Sri Lankan students and other expatriates are being compiled by the Missions in view of keeping close contact and ensuring their welfare at all times.

The Government of Sri Lanka, with its recent announcement requesting all Sri Lankan expatriates to remain in their current locations until the risk of COVID-19 is minimised, has further assured that requests for return of Sri Lankans will be considered once the spread of the virus is contained in the country.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Missions in New Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Kathmandu, Islamabad, Dhaka, Kabul and Malé have established hotlines and social media groups for networking with Sri Lankans overseas and community organisations and representatives have been assisting them with staying in their current locations in a safe environment, in compliance with local regulations. They are also making sure that Sri Lankans in different locations have access to food and other necessities.

Missions have also been coordinating and discussing with the respective authorities and have intervened and sought clearance for visa extensions as required. Certain Missions have also been liaising with local health authorities in preparing COVID-19 awareness messages in Sinhala for circulation within the community via mobile devices.

With forecasted lockdowns in certain stations, these Missions have taken necessary steps to set up sub-offices at the residences of Diplomatic Staff to work from home and continue the services to the community.