The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, says around 12 Sri Lankans with mental health conditions or substance abuse problems have been repatriated to Sri Lanka in recent months.
In a statement, Ambassador Bandara revealed that two more Sri Lankans, who were previously employed in construction work in Israel, were deported to Colombo on Thursday (25) due to inappropriate behaviour linked to drug abuse and mental stress.
The deportation was arranged at the request of their families, and the two individuals were flown via Dubai on FLYDUBAI flight FZ 1636 at 12:40 p.m. The Ambassador noted that one of the men had abandoned his job and was roaming in various locations under the influence of drugs, while the other had absconded from his workplace due to mental health struggles. Both were handed over to the Embassy by Sri Lankan community members in Israel.
As the men had lost their passports, the Embassy issued temporary travel documents free of charge and ensured their welfare during their stay in temporary accommodation before accompanying them to the airport.
Ambassador Bandara urged Sri Lankan families to refrain from sending individuals with such vulnerabilities for overseas employment, stressing the difficulties it creates for both the workers and the Embassy.
