27 Sri Lankans remaining in Ukraine unwilling to leave - Foreign Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); 27 Sri Lankans continue to remain in Ukraine and have expressed their unwillingness to leave, revealed Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Professor G. L. Peiris on Wednesday (9).

"Some of them are employed and others are married and they have to decide as a family. They have indicated to us that as of now, they do not wish to leave Ukraine," he told reporters in Colombo.

The Foreign Minister said the Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara, Turkey which is also accredited to Ukraine is in constant touch with the Sri Lankans and their families.

He further said that 1,561 Sri Lankans, mainly university students, are living in Belarus, and they are being monitored by the Sri Lankan mission in Moscow, Russia.

The Foreign Minister said that Belarussian Universities have expressed willingness to declare one-month leave for Sri Lankan students given the present tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

He said a 24/7 hotline was established at the Moscow Mission with a dedicated officer to assist the Sri Lankan students who wish to move to Russia in the present situation.

The Foreign Minister emphasized that there is no risk at the moment in Belarus, and necessary intervention will be made without any delay.