Lost paradise

As other countries repatriate, every passing day, we Sri Lankans wait for updates for our turn. As time passed by, it was disheartening to realise that it was only Sri Lanka, who did not want their citizens back but were ready to open borders for tourism. Despite us being willing to pay all costs for our repatriations, the Government was not willing to open borders to take their own back. However we are still hopeful, patiently waiting for our turn – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara 

I, a citizen of Sri Lanka, was stranded in the UAE since March 2020 due to this pandemic.This is my story.

Married and left for UAE two years back, life was going great and then my husband was sent on unpaid leave from 25 March and I have always been a housewife. My husband has been working in the UAE for the past six years of which four years were under the same employer; when tides got rough he was just asked to leave stating, “What can we do if your country doesn’t want you back.” 

As per the Sri Lankan Government, we were informed to register via the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ portal and the Embassy of Sri Lanka (Abu Dhabi). Initially we received responses to our emails which gave us hope that we will return to our Motherland soon. However, the last email from the authorities was on 26 May; thereafter there was no response from the Consulate.

In the UAE, there are over 200 nationalities, and all other countries welcomed their citizens. Afghanistan, which is referred to as a ‘failed nation’, managed to repatriate more than 15,000 of its citizens. India on the other hand, with 1.7 million COVID-19 cases as of today, also arranged flights (some free) to bring their own back. 

As other countries repatriate, every passing day, we Sri Lankans wait for updates for our turn. As time passed by, it was disheartening to realise that it was only Sri Lanka, who did not want their citizens back but were ready to open borders for tourism. Despite us being willing to pay all costs for our repatriations, the Government was not willing to open borders to take their own back. However we are still hopeful, patiently waiting for our turn.

From April onwards, I wrote multiple emails addressed to [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and [email protected]. I hadn’t received a single reply from any of them. Emergency hotlines were never reachable, wonder why it was provided in the first place. This whole ordeal has been both financially and emotionally exhausting. 

Plight of many Sri Lankans in UAE

During my visit to the Dubai embassy, I realised the plight of many Sri Lankans in the UAE. Most of us are left unemployed, homeless, some struggling to fetch meals, while others sleep on construction sites under the 50 degrees temperature outside. Meanwhile, our UAE Ambassador and politicians are living their lives with epitome of luxury.

In desperate need of slots to return to motherland, I got in touch with the current ambassador of the UAE (a US citizen), Malraj De Silva who was appointed recently, explaining my situation. Did I expect a response, yes indeed but sadly, there wasn’t any. I was also informed that he is one of the well-known politician’s best buddy. Sadly, he has no empathy to understand the misery of Sri Lankans suffering in UAE. I hope the Government rethinks the appointment of the current UAE ambassador, and stations someone who has empathy and acts on behalf of the community.

We also got in touch with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Colombo. Let me explain our experience with them. When their hotlines are called, they transfer you to the COVID Task Force Team and upon calling the task force, we are told to contact the MFA. The finger pointing and calls being transferred was the only assistance provided. My family members residing in Sri Lanka, tried obtaining appointment with the Head of COVID Task Force, Mr Kandippan until recently and Mrs Chaminda subsequently, but it was impossible to reach out to them and mails were not even acknowledged. The ones who respond to your phone calls states, “Sorry, the Government has cancelled all flights, what am I to do”. The only realisation at this point was it is a waste of our tax payer’s money, by keeping such employees at these authoritative desks, as they fail to even function as postmen. None of them even disclose their names while we desperately call their hotlines. So, there was no hope by contacting them. 

We were next approached by a PR team asking to create a dramatic video crying requesting for return. To return back to my country, which is my fundamental right I was told to create sad videos, if it was dramatic enough, I would be considered to be on the next flight (election propaganda). Well this PR team was connected with one of the highly loved politicians. Everyone is aware, subsequently; videos of women pleading for repatriations were circulated in social media. The politicians loved to watch our misery. Their agendas fulfilled. Let me thank the leading news channels, who did broadcast the sensational videos for TRPs whilst little was done to actually help us. 

Money for services that are free  

Based on online forums and the number provided by the Embassy in the UAE, we managed to get in contact with Charter Flights Groups. They quoted a whopping AED 4,500 to AED 5,000 per person and the breakup included transport and PCR charges. Let me highlight this; the PCR in the UAE is provided free of charge by the UAE authorities and the transport is free which is provided by the Sri Lankan Government. It is an utter shame that people ask money for services that are free.  

On the other hand, in Sri Lanka, there are also people promising seats (tokens) in flights and upon return to motherland, requesting Rs. 50,000 to be paid as their commission. Shameful and disgusting are an understatement to these people. They request a copy of your passport and state, they are people working for politicians or have contacts with the Consulate. Money out of misery, while we helplessly seek assistance. 

Finally, on 28 July, I received a call from the Consulate, after visiting the embassy thrice. The few staff members that are on duty are simply helpless when the Government has shut down borders but are tirelessly working and addressing concerns. My sincere thanks, to Subashini Silva, who is a career diplomat, a lawyer by profession, a devoted Buddhist and extremely helpful to the community. She was one of the best in the Consulate. Her assistance and polite responses gave us some hope to return to our nation. 

For the repatriation flight by Emirates, I paid AED 1,000, which is the one-way fare from Dubai to Colombo, while our national carrier was quoting AED 1,460 for the same route. Why are we being ripped off with an extra charge of 46%? This is daylight robbery by our nation’s pride, SriLankan Airlines. 

The Sri Lankan Consulate in UAE states penalties of overstay due to cancellation of visas will not be imposed by UAE. That is a lie. Penalties were not waived off, I paid and almost everyone on board did. 10% of the passengers, who could not afford to pay the charges, were imposed a ban on entry for two years by the UAE government. Our inefficiencies and incompetence from the COVID Task Force and failure to negotiate with UAE authorities had resulted to further stress to already financially exhausted and stranded Lankans.

The little on what I could do for our people, I have also raised this concern with the UAE authorities requesting waiver of charges as it is beyond our control. Unfortunately, no response received.

Resources at BIA airport are age-old

Upon arrival at BIA, it is noteworthy to highlight that the resources at the BIA airport are age-old with manual documentations. They handle all details manually and keep us stationed in buses, outside the airport for nearly over two and a half hours until the paperwork is sorted. Technology is barely used. 

I would however extend my sincere thanks, to our Army; they should be applauded. Their assistance and efforts at the airport and the quarantine centres is praiseworthy. 

Coming to the paid quarantine centres, after paying Rs. 7,500 per person, per night for 14 days, is another rip off given that never heard names of hotels are turned into quarantine centres with basic facilities not being provided despite being charged. The hotel, we were provided could have been charged at a much lesser rate, as it is a three-star property charging five-star rates, daylight robbery at its best. It would not be surprising if this hotel would have some political connection and commissions involved for them. 

Hotels were not fully booked for long weekends and were ready to provide unbelievable discounts, why cannot the Sri Lankan Government bring back all these stranded Lankans and quarantine them in these hotels? Please do not state, there are no quarantine facilities or funds as most of them are willing to pay. Let aside that, why not board them on cruises and quarantine them at sea. Some options to consider, as some nations, are already implementing this. 

Based on my experience, I can now firmly state, the returnees from UAE are deliberately treated poorly and are last on their list of repatriation, reason being known as migrant house assistants. That is the perception of the Sri Lankan public and the Government. They are already poor and who is this poor man to complain. When times have been good, Sri Lanka has flourished with remittances through these poor people. The Sri Lankan banks have earned through their foreign remittances, but when the need arises for their CSR activities, it is not their responsibility but that of the Government. Social responsibility at its best. 

Shame on the Chairman, Board of Directors, CEOs, and bank authorities. Please do not publish your CSR activities on the 2020 annual reports and newspaper articles while you have not even helped the ones who have contributed to your profits for years. 

Let me also not forget to mention, the role by NGOs and their obligations. Why hasn’t anyone voiced this situation and why was no action taken. Until recently there was no petition filed either. 

If money was a problem for repatriation, what has happened to the large funds maintained at MFA? Why aren’t they been utilised, what has happened to the cash paid by the workers to Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before exiting the country, which is mandatory? Well the funds are to be utilised when an unforeseen situation occurs (acts as insurance). In the future, there is no necessity to pay or register because they have not acted according to their mere purpose of existence and their job roles. It is a useless ministry. They do not even respond to calls, let aside emails. It is shameful. A cost, to the taxpayer. 

Our shameful Sri Lankan public

My sincere, heartfelt thanking note, to our shameful Sri Lankan public for their empathy. It is sad that everyone is busy on long weekend getaways and weddings with no social distancing, no health guidelines being followed (with no mask); shame on all of you. Further the online keyboard warriors voice their opinions on repatriations while posting vacation images. It is the general perception that all these stranded people are carriers of the disease and as if wilfully would bring it to the motherland. 

Let me highlight this, even if these citizens are infected, it is their right to be brought back to their motherland and be treated in IDH, not be left to die like animals in foreign land. Sri Lanka is no longer a paradise to its own people. It is our right who are overseas; the economy has benefited through us for years. 

Social media forums were alight about ‘BlackLivesMatter’, and an Indian actor committing suicide. Our public was concerned and sharing it all over social media platforms. Why was there no forum or petitions to state ‘Sri Lankans stranded in the Middle East Matter’? Disgraceful. 

Meanwhile, UAE authorities, are no doubt, heartless, but Sri Lankans are beyond that. Inhuman, to let our own get burnt under the hot sun and some only having one meal a day. 

There is an increase in the number of infections in the Middle East. There will be more people unemployed in the future. The cost of living is very high and not everyone has families who can fund them. It wouldn’t be surprising, if people start committing suicide. Therefore, to the Sri Lankan public, if you have any humanity left, please raise your voices to bring back all those who are stranded. 

When I needed help in the most difficult times, it was two kind Sri Lankans, who are residing in the UAE, who assisted me during this ordeal. Complete strangers, never spoken to in my life, my reference, “I am Sri Lankan, please help”. Assistance provided as promised, importantly when I needed it the most. Their hospitality reminding me, it is being Sri Lankan. 

Lastly, it is my humble request to execute a plan, as the Consulate already has the details. All of us, Sri Lankans are responsible if another Sri Lankan suffers. Request the politicians, to act without starting their blame game or diverting the situation to political agendas targeting racism. Since the elections have ended, please empathise and bring back the 21,000 registered Sri Lankans in UAE back to their Motherland, which is a ‘Lost Paradise’ to its own people. 

My experience was terrible, so my heart goes out to them; hope is all they’ve got.