Foreign Ministry sets up Emergency Response Unit amid ongoing Middle East tensions

Wednesday, 4 March 2026 00:04 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Foreign Affair, Foreign Employment and Tourism Ministry yesterday announced that it has established an Emergency Response Unit to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans living in the Middle East, due to the tense situation prevailing in the region.

The unit has been established with the vision of prioritising the safety and wellbeing of Sri Lankan nationals as well as to assist foreign nationals in Sri Lanka due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The Emergency Response Unit operates daily on 24x7 basis.

Issuing a special notice, the Ministry noted the following telephone numbers and email address for contact in any emergency;

Emergency Response Unit, Foreign Affairs Ministry: +94117445641 / +94112207250
WhatsApp (only): +940777189552
Email: [email protected]
Consular Affairs Division, Foreign Affairs Ministry: +94742595546
Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment: +94719802822
Hotline: 1989

With around one million Sri Lankans living and working in the Middle East, the Government has identified their protection as its foremost concern, the statement added. The Unit will also extend assistance to non-Sri Lankan nationals in Sri Lanka who may be affected by the current situation, with issues to be addressed on a case-by-case basis.

The concerned parties may contact the Emergency Response Unit of the Ministry to seek assistance.