Govt. says ready to evacuate Sri Lankans from Israel if need arises: Minister

Main opposition SJB skeptical on SL’s preparedness   

By Yohan Perera   

Sri Lanka is ready to repatriate its citizens in Israel and in the conflict ridden Gaza Strip if the need arises, a cabinet Minister said yesterday.  “We are ready to repatriate Sri Lankans living in conflict areas in Gaza if the need arises. 

Anyone who wants to come back to Sri Lanka are welcome to do so,” Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara told a media briefing.   

“However Sri Lankans living in the area have not shown any keenness to come back,” he added.   
Also he said President Ranil Wickremesinghe had instructed the Minister of Power and Energy Kanchana Wijesekera to keep adequate stocks of fuel to face a global recession which might arise as a result of the conflict in Gaza.   

“However political literacy of Sri Lankans seemed to be low when it comes to global politics and even local politics. There are those who hope that Sri Lanka would suffer as a result of the Gaza conflict. Some are seen staging protests against Israel and Palestine. These are signs of low political literacy,” he also said.   

Meanwhile Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Tissa Attanayake said the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel Nimal Bandara is doing a good job ensuring the safety of locals in the Gaza strip in the wake of the conflict. However he said there is much to be done to minimize the effects which Sri Lanka could suffer.   

“We have seen that the Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel is doing a good job. He had even made an effort to travel towards conflict areas in the Gaza Strip to ensure the safety of Sri Lankans living there. This is commendable. However there is much to be done where Sri Lanka is concerned,” he said.   

“There are a large number of Sri Lankans working in Gaza and in Israel. Sri Lanka could face an issue when it comes to remittances. Sri Lanka could therefore suffer a fresh forex issue. Also there is a possibility of fuel and gas price hikes soon. The Government might even use the opportunity of jacking up fuel and gas prices,” he added.