Consulate General of Sri Lanka, Toronto

FOREIGN SECRETARY ARYASINHA ELABORATES ON CABINET DECISION TO GIVE PRIORITY IN REPATRIATION TO VULNERABLE SECTORS AMONG OVERSEAS SRI LANKAN MIGRANT WORKERS

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha participated in a television interview, recorded today (07 May 2020), at the Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation (SLRC) where he expanded on the Cabinet Paper presented by Hon. Dinesh Gunawardena, Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations regards "addressing the vulnerable sectors of the migrant labour category of Overseas Sri Lankans amidst the COVID-19 pandemic by the Government of Sri Lanka".

The full transcript of the interview is below.

Announcement

MODALITIES TO ISSUE TEMPORARY TRAVEL DOCUMENTS TO UNDOCUMENTED WORKERS ABROAD AGREED ON

2020-05-04-T

Modalities to issue temporary travel documents to undocumented workers abroad following proper authentication procedures has been agreed on by the Department of Immigration and Emigration. This follows consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Relations, Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations and Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). It is intended to facilitate the repatriation of migrant workers, once the Government decides on a timeline for their repatriation.

This was discussed at a meeting convened today (04 May 2020) by the Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, Dinesh Gunawardena with the relevant line agencies.

The interest expressed through the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ portal by migrant workers to return and the amnesties presently declared by Kuwait and Jordan were reviewed. The vulnerability faced by migrant workers particularly in the Maldives and possible measures to address it, was also discussed. The programme by the Foreign Ministry and the SLBFE to provide dry rations to the Sri Lankan migrant communities most affected was also assessed.

Minister Gunawardena briefed those present on the negotiations that have taken place with the foreign governments concerned and efforts being made to be responsive to these governments, while ensuring that any repatriation remains consistent with the ongoing quarantine process.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha, Senior Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations Sujeewa Thissera, Controller General of Department of Immigration & Emigration Sarath Rupasiri, Chairman of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Kamal Ratwatte, and other Senior Officials, participated at the meeting.

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

04 May 2020

FACILITATION OF INWARD REMITTANCES-FOR SPECIAL DEPOSIT ACCOUNTS (SDAS)

NOTICE

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has informed that tourists who are unsuccessful in making credit card payments for Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) to travel to Sri Lanka, due to the ongoing upgrading and maintenance of the ETA front end system, will be issued On Arrival ETA (at the port of entry to Sri Lanka) as an alternative channel.

Thank you!

Consul General

02.02.2022