Temporary halt on dispatching Sri Lankans to Israel due to tension
- CNL Reporter
- June 16, 2025
- News
- Israel
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Several hundreds Sri Lankans lined up for work in Israel
Sri Lankan authorities worried over possible impact on economy
Sri Lankan woman sustains minor injuries
Apartment of Sri Lankan Embassy staff member damaged
Colombo, June 16 (Daily Mirror) – The dispatch of Sri Lankans for work in Israel had come to a temporary halt because of tension flaring up in the Middle-East with Iran launching a barrage of ballistic missile attacks on the Israeli territory in retaliation, an official said.
Currently, there are around 20,000 Sri Lankans working in Israel in construction, caregiving, hospitality and agriculture sectors. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Tel Aviv has already informed the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) not to send Sri Lankans until tension eases off. A few hundreds Sri Lankans have qualified at the moment to come to Israel for work.
Sri Lankan authorities are concerned about the loss of employment opportunities in the region if tension escalates. A Sri Lankan worker earns US $ 1200 – 1500 in average in Israel.
Meanwhile, Sri Lankan Ambassador in Israel Nimal Bandara said, “Overnight, Iranian ballistic missile attacks continued to target Tel Aviv, Haifa, and surrounding areas. Several buildings caught fire, resulting in one confirmed fatality and multiple injuries.
Two Sri Lankan women working in a residence south of Tel Aviv were evacuated with their host family after a strong tremor shook their house. The incident occurred at approximately 03:30 yesterday (Israeli time).
“In a separate incident around 04:00 AM in Bat Yam, another Sri Lankan woman sustained minor injuries due to falling glass. I personally spoke to her; she suffered bruises and cuts on her right hand. Her condition is stable and not serious,” the Ambassador said.
The Ambassador and the Deputy Head of Mission visited the affected areas and met with the two Sri Lankan nationals. One of the injured women was brought to the Embassy and provided with medical assistance.
Additionally, the apartment of a member of the Sri Lankan Embassy staff sustained damage during the overnight attacks. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.
The Embassy is also taking steps to facilitate the extension of re-entry visas for Sri Lankan migrant workers who are currently on vacation in Sri Lanka and unable to return due to the ongoing security situation.
Embassy officials continue to monitor the situation closely and remain available around the clock. All Sri Lankan nationals in Israel who are affected or in need of assistance are urged to contact the Embassy immediately.
A government source said that Sri Lanka is watchful of the situation because the economy is extremely vulnerable to external shocks such as oil price hikes and drop in exports.
Nearly one million Sri Lankans are in the region. Remittances from them remain key for Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange revenue.
