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JVP: What happened to proposal to use SLBFE deposits totalling Rs. 14 bn to repatriate workers?
By Saman Indrajith
Thousands of Lankan migrant workers were stranded in West Asian countries amidst the COVID-19 pandemic after losing their jobs while the government continues to make statements promising to bring them all home, says the JVP-led Progressive Women’s Collective (PWC).
Addressing the media at the JVP headquarters in Pelawatte yesterday MP Dr Harini Amarasuriya said the situation of the stranded migrant workers was deteriorating day by day while the government kept postponing bringing them home.
She said that some workers who had lost their jobs were staying at places provided to them by their employers while others received help from fellow Sri Lankan workers. “But with the gradual increase in the number of coronavirus infections, more people faced difficulties. Nobody has an exact figure of the Lankan workers killed by the pandemic abroad so far. Their situation is worsening. The government should not forget the fact that they were the ones who contributed to the national economy to run this country.
“We have raised this issue many times. We also staged a demonstration opposite the Foreign Employment Bureau. There has been no response from the government. The family members of the stranded worker have no way of contacting them. There are no officials in embassies and high commissions to answer queries about the workers. Our party leader raised this issue in Parliament several times and the government kept on saying it was planning to bring them back. The government so far has helped only those who could spend around 400,000 to 500,000 out of their pockets to fund their passage home.”
PWC member and JVP member of the Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia Municipal Council Samanmalee Gunasinghe said the government kept telling lies to the people about the issue of bringing the migrant workers home. “There were reports that the Prime Minister and ministers had discussed the use of Rs 14 billion in bank deposits of the Foreign Employment Bureau to bring the stranded Lankans home. Yet, no action has been taken so far. In the meantime, corpses of workers form West Asian countries are delivered to Chilaw, Rajanganaya, Anuradhapura and Hambantota. The Labour Minister pledged in Parliament that the Lankan workers would be brought home free of charge. He said that any migrant worker unable to obtain air tickets to Sri Lanka should immediately report to the Sri Lankan Embassy in that country or call the toll free number 800119119, but anyone who dial that number can understand that there is no response. Why do they cheat people in this manner?” she queried.
PWC Member Saroja Savithri Paul Raj said those who wanted to return also had to pay for PCR testing. “Many of those stranded workers do not have money.”
High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Major General (Retd) Nayyar Naseer met with the Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at Temple Trees on 30th April
Welcoming the High Commissioner of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, the Prime Minister expressed sincere appreciation for the continued support and cooperation extended by the Government of Pakistan to Sri Lanka, particularly the assistance provided following the Ditwah Cyclone.
Both sides reaffirmed the longstanding and cordial relations between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are founded on mutual respect, friendship, and shared interests.
The meeting also focused on the importance of further strengthening collaboration in key sectors such as education, tourism, and sports, with a view to enhancing people-to-people ties and creating new opportunities for cooperation reiterating Sri Lanka’s commitment to deepening bilateral engagement.
The meeting was attended by the Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan to Sri Lanka Ms. Zunaira Latif, Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
The Ambassador of Nepal to SriLanka, Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali paid a farewell courtesy call on Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya on Thursday (30th of April) at Temple Trees.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister conveyed sincere appreciation for the dedicated service and valuable contributions towards strengthening the longstanding bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Nepal during the tenure of Dr. Purna Bahadurn Nepali.
Both parties reaffirmed the longstanding bilateral relations between the two countries, which are based on shared cultural, religious, and historical linkages. The Prime Minister also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to further deepening bilateral relations with Nepal and enhancing cooperation for the mutual benefit of both nations.
The meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Prime Minister, Pradeep Saputhanthri, Additional Secretary Ms. Sagarika Bogahawatta, and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism.
(Prime Minister’s Media Division)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 01 May 2026, valid for 02 May 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on the human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-7446491.
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, Eastern, Sabaragamuwa, North-western provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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