Monitoring Lankans in Japan – SL

11 March 2011 08:57 am Views - 6031

By Gandhya Senanayake

The Sri Lankan External Affairs Ministry is currently attempting to ascertain the situation of Sri Lankans in earthquake and tsunami hit cities in Japan, External Affairs Ministry sources said.

Due to the condition of the calamity, we are unable ascertain the exact number of Sri Lankans affected by the earthquake. The Japanese government is currently assessing the impact and damage of the earthquake and tsunami. They will be unable to provide the exact number of Sri Lankans or for that matter the number of other nationalities that have been affected at this point of time due to the current situation, External Affairs Ministry sources said 

The External Affairs Ministry added that they were awaiting a reply from the Sri Lankan officials in Japan regarding the condition of the Sri Lankan expatriates.

Reportedly, many difficulties are faced when establishing contact with Japan due to damage caused to communication facilitiesby both the earthquake and tsunami.

Ministry of External Affairs update- 

The Ministry of External Affairs has set up an information desk at the Consular Affairs Division of the Ministry to provide information to Sri Lankan nationals who wish to ascertain the wellbeing of their next of kin in Japan, following the earthquake and tsunami which struck Japan today (11th March 2011).

Those who are unable to obtain information about their next of kin in Japan following this calamity may contact the Consular Affairs Division on the following telephone numbers:

 011-4719593

011-5743362

077-2267929 (24 hours)

In addition, Mr. Chandana Weerasena, First Secretary of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Tokyo can be contacted via Skype on: chandana711.

The Ministry of External Affairs and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Tokyo are monitoring the situation and will render all possible assistance to the public to obtain required information about their next of kin in Japan.

(Daily Mirror online)