The attention of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Lebanon has been drawn to a news item entitled “Lankan labourers in Lebanon threaten to fast” which appeared in the "Ceylon Today" on Wednesday 29th October 2014.
At the outset itself, the Embassy of Sri Lanka categorically rejects the contents of this news item as being wholly incorrect and devoid of truth.
As far as this Embassy is aware, there is no trade union in Lebanon under the name, "Sri Lankan Labour Union," as the formation of any such organizations by foreign workers is prohibited under Lebanese law. There are a few Sri Lankan social groups and the largest of them is the Sri Lanka Association of Lebanon. The President of the Association has denied any knowledge of the existence of a trade union under the above name and of a purported attempt by the Sri Lankan community to stage a fast in front of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Lebanon.
The concerns of Sri Lankan workers and their issues are handled by the labour officers attached to the Mission. However, baseless allegations are being levelled against the Acting Head of Mission, although the issues facing the workers have not been brought to her attention.
Granting of a period of amnesty for illegal workers is a prerogative of the Government of Lebanon. However, this Mission has continually made representations to the relevant officials and political leaders to consider granting a period of amnesty for illegal Sri Lankan workers to leave Lebanon. This Mission has been informed that once the security situation improves, the Government of Lebanon would consider granting a period of amnesty.
The Mission charges passport fees as prescribed by the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Sri Lanka. The Mission is not authorized to issue passports free of charge. Only domestic workers who are destitute and have experienced excessive hardships at their work places could be issued with temporary travel documents to travel to Sri Lanka with the prior approval of the Controller General of Immigration and Emigration. Sri Lankan Missions are merely acting on behalf of the Department of Immigration & Emigration and they have limited authority over issuance of travel documents, on gratis basis.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka has no role in the process of granting and obtaining Lebanese visas for Sri Lankans or their children. It is the duty of their sponsors to intervene to secure visas for their workers and their children. No law has been introduced by the Lebanese Government to cancel the visas of Sri Lankan children and their parents. The Government authorities have taken steps only to implement the existing rules on visas.
It is quite clear that the news item referred to above has been prepared, based on false and distorted information provided by some unscrupulous elements under a fictitious name with the intention of creating a rift between the Sri Lankan community in Lebanon and the Embassy. The Embassy of Sri Lanka has always been extending its assistance and services to the Sri Lankan community in Lebanon under the guidance of Ministry of External Affairs in Colombo.
Sri Lanka Embassy
Beirut
31st October 2014
