Team in Lebanon to evacuate Lankans

by Ananda Kannangara

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) yesterday confirmed that a special team was deployed to oversee the evacuation process of Lankan workers from war torn areas of Lebanon to safer places.

The team works round the clock on the instructions given by the Foreign Ministry and the SLBFE. Labour Relations and Foreign Employment Minister Athauda Seneviratne on Friday had a discussion with Foreign Minister Mangala Samaraweera on the current issue and the evacuation process of victims.

SLFBE, Chairman Jagath Wellawatte told the `Sunday Observer' that the Government has already provided welfare facilities for the well-being of those stranded due to the crisis in the Middle East.

The Bureau Chairman also confirmed that the first batch of nearly 200 Lankans was airlifted to Colombo yesterday. SriLankan Airlines had informed the Foreign Affairs Ministry and the SLBFE that more flights were available to airlift Sri Lankans from Damascus to Colombo.

We have also received information that our Embassy in Beirut is assisting Caritas International and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) to provide road transport for Lankans from Beirut to Damascus from where they will be airlifted to Colombo.

Meanwhile, the latest Lebanon reports indicated that the Lankan female domestic worker Vinitha Mallika who was killed in the air attack was cremated in Lebanon.

The Bureau also said that all victims will be paid compensation in due course. According to SLBFE reports, at least 80,000 Sri Lankans are employed in Lebanon and 70 per cent of them are housemaids and garment factory workers.

A round the clock counter has also been opened at the Bureau Head Office at Denzil Kobbekaduwa Mawatha, Battaramulla to enable relatives to obtain information.

The Bureau officials can be contacted on 2864150 for further information.