The Foreign Ministry is continuing to closely monitor developments in Ukraine and is engaged in the evacuation of approximately forty (40) Sri Lankan nationals, including two (02) students in Ukraine via the Ukraine – Polish border.
The process is facilitated by the Sri Lanka Embassies in Warsaw and Ankara, the latter being concurrently accredited to Ukraine, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday March 01.
The Ministry has strengthened the provision of resources to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Warsaw in order to ensure the effective facilitation of the evacuation process.
The Ambassadors of Sri Lanka in Ankara and Warsaw continue to maintain close contact with the Sri Lankan nationals leaving Ukraine, in order to enable their safe passage and return to Sri Lanka.
The Foreign Ministry is also engaged in monitoring the status of Sri Lankan nationals in countries which share land borders with Ukraine. Sri Lanka’s accredited missions are in contact with the relevant Honorary Consuls and Sri Lankan nationals in the respective countries.
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Moscow which is concurrently accredited to Belarus continues to be in close communication with the approximately 1,600 Sri Lankan nationals, including 1,556 students studying in over eight (08) universities / higher education institutes in Belarus.
Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Moscow is in direct contact with the relevant university authorities, student and parent groups, as well as other concerned institutions in Belarus, with regard to the safety and welfare of the Sri Lankan students. Regular status updates are being provided to the parents, as deemed necessary.
The Ministry requests Sri Lankan nationals in the region to be in close contact with the relevant Sri Lanka Missions.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara says that 20 Sri Lankans stranded in Ukraine are expected to leave Ukraine near the Ukraine – Poland border.
Sri Lanka’s ambassador to Turkey, Georgia and Ukraine, M.R. Hassan stated that they will be traveling through Poland to visit Sri Lanka.
The border authorities have also been informed about the Sri Lankans, according to the Embassy.
Ambassador M.R. Hassan added that talks are underway to repatriate Sri Lankan students stranded in Ukraine via Poland as well.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry has asked citizens in Ukraine to be vigilant and be in touch with the embassy in Turkey and other citizens to avoid travel to the country amid fears of a Russian invasion.
“The Foreign Ministry requests all Sri Lankan nationals in Ukraine to exercise vigilance and to be in contact with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Ankara,” a Foreign Ministry statement said.
“The Ministry also advises all Sri Lankan nationals to avoid non-essential travel to Ukraine at present.”
Six out of 14 Sri Lanka students in Ukraine had left the country and the embassy in Ankara was in touch with the balance eight.
