Foreign Minister, Dinesh Gunawardena met with senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Relations today at the Ministry to discuss about the welfare of the Sri Lankan expatriate communities, difficulties currently being faced by these communities and ways to explore practical solutions to assist expatriate communities at this time of need.
The Ministry of Foreign Relations, sensitive to the concerns of the OSLs amidst the rapid spread of the COVID-19 and the inability to return to Sri Lanka, has held consultations over the past 2 days with its Heads of Missions based in 67 cities across the world, to facilitate the wellbeing and safety of Overseas Sri Lankans, while pre paring for any exigencies they could have to meet in the coming days.
Deshamanya Professor W.D. Lakshman
Governor, Central Bank of Sri Lanka
30, Janadhipathi Mawatha, Colombo 1, Sri Lanka
02nd April 2020
Appeal to all Sri Lankans and well-wishers living in Sri Lanka and abroad: An Appeal made with the Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers.
This is further to the previous notice released by the Department of lmmigration and Emigration on 1-7.03.2020 with regard tothe extension of visas for the Foreigners residing in Sri Lanka. Accordingly, the validity period of all types of Visas had been extended for a period of 30 days with effect from 14th March 2O2Oto 12th April 2020. Having considered the spread of Covid-19 virus in the country, it has been decided to further extend the validity period of all types of Visas issued to all foreigners who are currently residing in Sri Lanka from another 30 days.
With direct deposits and donations from organizations and individual donors, the COVID – 19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund’s balance surpasses Rs. 242 million.