Measures in place to ferry stranded Lankans

Manjula Fernando

COLOMBO: The Government yesterday asserted it has taken all measures to ensure the safe return of Sri Lankans affected by the war in Lebanon.

"The second batch of 53 workers are on their way home and another 776 in Beirut are awaiting their turn to be airlifted to Sri Lanka," Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera said.

"Of them, 300 are to be flown to the country on Thursday. They will be brought to Damascus via land by the Sri Lankan embassy officials from where they will be airlifted.," he said.

Addressing a joint press conference at the Labour Ministry yesterday, Samaraweera said the Foreign Ministry has already contacted governments and humanitarian organisations to help them evacuate Sri Lankans who want to return to the country.

"Not all foreign employees in Lebanon are affected by the bombing and despite the situation some wish to remain with their employers," he said adding that they do not expect a 'mass exodus' at this moment. "When the violence broke out unexpectedly, Sri Lanka was the first Asian country to start evacuating its citizens who were trapped."

The Foreign Ministry had already initiated contacts with the Israeli Government and they have assured safe passage for Sri Lankans stranded in Lebanon to Syria. In addition India, US, Syria, Italy and Qatar have agreed to help Sri Lanka on this issue.