The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has issued a warning to individuals planning to travel to Israel, advising them to temporarily halt their travel arrangements due to escalating hostilities in the region. This advisory follows rising tensions between Israel and Lebanon and surrounding areas.
In a media statement on today (2nd October), Gamini Senarath Yapa, Additional General Manager for International Affairs at SLBFE, emphasized the need for vigilance among Sri Lankans and urged them to coordinate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs before making travel plans to Israel, Lebanon, or Syria.
Yapa reassured that around 12,000 Sri Lankans currently work in Israel, with 6,700 migrating this year, primarily in the construction, agriculture, and caregiving sectors. He noted that, so far, there have been no reports of Sri Lankans affected by the conflict, with the Embassy closely monitoring the situation.
In Lebanon, approximately 7,600 Sri Lankans are employed, and the Embassy has taken proactive measures for their safety, sheltering 28 individuals seeking protection. The SLBFE urges all Sri Lankans in conflict zones to adhere to security protocols and maintain regular contact with the Embassy for assistance and repatriation support.
