President Condemns Hamas attack and Pays full attention over victims

Sri Lanka President Ranil Wickremesinghe condemns the recent Hamas attack on Israel. The Foreign Affairs Minister is ready to evacuate Sri Lankans from Israel, if there is a need. One was injured and two have gone missing.  

While reaffirming Sri Lanka’s long-standing support for the two-state concept of Israel and Palestine, President Wickremesinghe condemns the recent Hamas attack on Israel.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe briefed the cabinet on Israel crisis in the Parliament and expressed deep concern over the recent attacks in Israel and its implications on Sri Lankans and Israelis residing in both countries.

While reaffirming Sri Lanka’s longstanding support for the two-state concept of Israel and Palestine, President Wickremesinghe condemned the recent Hamas attack on Israel, which resulted in the loss of numerous civilian lives. He stressed that despite past criticisms of Israel’s actions, such attacks could not be justified.

President Wickremesinghe emphasized the need for immediate action to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans working in Israel.

He directed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to locate and ensure the well-being of these individuals. Additionally, he called for assistance in facilitating the return of Israelis, including tourists and employees, from Sri Lanka to Israel and urged the police to provide necessary security measures for Israelis within Sri Lanka.

President Wickremesinghe called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in line with the African Union proposal, emphasizing the broader consequences of the crisis on global fuel prices. He noted that the ongoing conflict would likely lead to a prolonged period of high fuel prices, adversely affecting developing economies, including Sri Lanka.

And, Foreign Affairs Minister Ali Sabry, PC said if there is a need to evacuate Sri Lankans from Israel, steps will be taken to bring them to Sri Lanka immediately.

“Sri Lankan Embassy in Tel Aviv,   Israel is closely monitoring the Sri Lankans staying in Israel. And the team headed by the Sri Lankan Ambassador is working on this with their utmost dedication,” he said.

According to Minister Ali Sabry, It has been discovered that a large number of Sri Lankans are currently staying in Israel and steps will be taken to send them to detention centers if it is necessary due to the ongoing war conflicts.

He also said that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel is working closely with regional missions, including the United Arab Emirates in this regard.

Further, he added that the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel is constantly exchanging information with the Sri Lankans staying in Israel and it has received information that two Sri Lankans are missing and one more Sri Lankan is injured so far.

Another Sri Lankan woman has been reported missing amidst the ongoing violence in Israel and Palestine, the Sri Lanka Embassy in Israel announced day before yesterday

Accordingly, so far one Sri Lankan living in Israel has sustained minor injuries, while two others are reported missing, amidst the escalated Israel-Palestine conflict, according to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Israel.

Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, said that the injured person was an employee of a tourist hotel in the northern part of the Gaza Strip and he was taken to hospital with injuries to his hand and abdomen.

While there are about 8000 Sri Lankans in Israel, but only a few are in the southern region, the Ambassador pointed out. He further said that they are seeking information on the missing Sri Lankan and will inform the Red Cross if he was not found.

“If we cannot find any information about the missing person we would share his details with the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) to find him among those who were taken by Hamas,” Sri Lankan Ambassador told the media.

Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau said that the Sri Lankan government is working together with the Sri Lankan Embassy to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans working in Israel.

The Foreign Employment Bureau has set up hotlines and has urged families to contact them if any of their family members in Israel are facing any issues due to the violence.

The Foreign Employment Bureau also requested the Sri Lankans staying in Israel to provide information via WhatsApp to 0094 – 716640560 if they have any problems.

END.