News
UAE declares visa amnesty; special consular services from the Sri Lanka Consulate General in Dubai
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has launched a two-month amnesty scheme, starting from 01 September 2024. This initiative provides an opportunity for individuals to correct their visa status or return to their home countries, without incurring fines or facing entry bans.
In support of this amnesty, the Sri Lankan Consulate General in Dubai has arranged special consular services, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, from Monday to Friday, in addition to the regular consular services conducted from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM daily. Similarly, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi has a special consular support programme running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, from Monday to Friday.
According to the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), the amnesty provisions extend to individuals born in the UAE without official documentation.
However, the amnesty does not apply to individuals who have entered the country illegally, those who have been previously deported or have deportation cases against them by the UAE or other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as those who absconded from their employer after 01 September 2024.
Individuals who wish to exit the country must apply for an exit permit, which is valid for 14 days from the date of issuance. If those who obtain exit permits do not depart within this period, previous fines and restrictions will be reinstated. Those who wish to remain in the country must regularize their visa status.
For further assistance, Sri Lankan nationals in the UAE are encouraged to visit the Consulate General in Dubai during the designated hours or contact the Consulate General for more information via the following channels:
Email: consular.dubai@mfa.gov.lk
Telephone: +971 4 611 55 00 or +971 4 611 55 55
The Consulate General also requests that relatives of Sri Lankans living in the United Arab Emirates without legal residency permits to inform them of the opportunity given and make use of this time period to rectify their residency status or return to Sri Lanka under the amnesty granted.
The Consulate General remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all Sri Lankans in Dubai and Northern Emirates and will continue to provide necessary support and services during this amnesty period.
Latest News
Russian Embassy, Russian House, unveil plaque at Public Library in honour of 80th anniversary of victory day
The Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and the Russian House in Colombo unveiled a plaque at the public library Colombo today (29th April) in honour of the 80th anniversary of victory day.
Victory Day is celebrated on the 9th of May, the day Nazi Germany was defeated in World War II. It is an important date in the Russian calendar and an integral part of Russian culture.
The plaque was jointly unveiled by the Ambassador of the Russian Federation in Sri Lanka Lenav Dzhagaryan and Ms Maria Popova Counsellor of the Russian Embassy in Sri Lanka and Director of the Russian House in Colombo
News
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
It has been recognized that the state enterprises should be re – structured and maintained with proper administration with the assistance of local or foreign investments without being a continuous burden to the General Treasury and the country’s economy. Therefore, it is the policy of the new government to introduce an efficient and accountable mechanism in the regard. An initial draft named “State Commercial Enterprises Management Draft Bill” has been already prepared to introduce a new legal framework required for maintaining after performing necessary restructuring and with proper management of government owned business companies. Thereon, it will be possible to totally free the state entrepreneurship establishments from political influences and appoint professionals with proficiency for its board of directors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the proposal furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Plan Implementation and Economic Development to grant policy approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for the said initial draft and appoint a special committee with the following composition to submit appropriate proposals for further enhancing after reviewing the initial draft:
• Hon. (Dr.) Anil Jayantha Fernando, Minister of Labour and the Deputy Minister of Economic Development – (Chairman)
• Hon. Sunil Handunneththi Minister of Industries and Entrepreneurship
• Hon. Wasantha Samarasinghe Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Co – operative Development
• Hon. (Dr.) Harshana Sooriyapperuma Deputy Minister of Finance Plan Implementation
The Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Justice and National Integration to appoint Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi, a special grade officer in Sri Lanka Administrative Service who served in the post of Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Buddha Shasana, Religious and Cultural Affairs, to the post of Commissioner General of Official Languages with immediate effect.
Russian Embassy, Russian House, unveil plaque at Public Library in honour of 80th anniversary of victory day
Ministerial committee appointed to review and further enhance ‘State Commercial Enterprises Management draft bill’
Thilak Nandana Hettiarachchi appointed Commissioner General of Official Languages
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