Will evacuate Sri Lankans if need arises

By Ashanthi Warunasuriya   

The Foreign Ministry is monitoring the developments in Gaza and will evacuate Sri Lankans in Gaza and Israel if the need arises.   

Foreign media report said that at least 242 people were killed in Gaza and 13 people were killed in Israel during 11 days of fierce fighting that ended last Friday with an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire.   

State Minister of Regional Cooperation Tharaka Balasuriya told Daily Mirror that the developments in Gaza are being assessed daily. He said that steps have been taken to look into the well-being of the Sri Lankan community in the Gaza area and Israel.   

The State Minister said that if the need arises then the Sri Lankans will be evacuated in stages. Balasuriya denied allegations that the Sri Lankan government was not considering the plight of the Sri Lankan community.   
A few Sri Lankans are employed near Gaza while there are others in Israel. The State Minister said that the government always has the best interest of the Sri Lankan community in mind. He said that the Sri Lankans in Gaza and Israel have not been forgotten and the entire situation is being closely followed.   

• A few Sri Lankans are employed near Gaza while there are others in Israel