Manusha urges calm: Ready to evacuate Sri Lankans if Middle East conflict escalates

Colombo, August 3 (Daily Mirror) - All arrangements are in place for Sri Lankans to be brought into the country if the conflicts develop in the Middle East, Labour and Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara said.

Addressing the media, he said more than five million US dollars have already been allocated.

Therefore, foreign workers are requested not to panic at this time.

"Don't get ready to cross the borders. Keep working safely until we take the necessary measures," the Minister said.

"Plans have been prepared to keep them in safe places until they are brought to Sri Lanka and provide them with all the facilities they need," he said.

"The President has instructed us to prepare all arrangements to bring them by sea as soon as possible. The President has also appointed a separate committee for that. If it is necessary to bring them to Sri Lanka, we hope to establish a separate telephone number to inform about it," Minister Nanayakkara said.

The Minister also mentioned that if such a conflict breaks out in the Middle East, another crisis may arise in the country. 

"Oil and gas are brought with the money sent by foreign workers. We hope that there will be no war," he said.