“ETHERA METHERA” PROGRAMME TELECAST ON RUPAVAHINI

“EtheraMethera”programme on COVID-19 (Part 2) telecast on Rupavahini on 19 April 2020 at 6 pm featuring interviews with Mr Ravinatha Aryasinha, Secretary/ Foreign Relations and Mr W M V Wansekara, Actg General Manager, SLBFE.





Relaxation of Foreign Exchange Restrictions

The communication issued by the Government of Sri Lanka in regard to the relaxation of foreign exchange restrictions in Sri Lanka and  opening of Special Deposit Accounts (SDA)  with Sri Lanka Banks together with the relevant Government Gazette Notification dated 08.04.2020. Read More »


New bank account introduced to remit foreign currency earnings

“ The Government of Sri Lanka introduces a  New Bank Account for all Sri Lankans living in and outside the country to remit their foreign currency earnings, savings and investments to any bank of their choice in Sri Lanka.”  

New bank account introduced to remit foreign currency earnings Sinhala Version

New bank account introduced to remit foreign currency earnings Tamil Version

New bank account introduced to remit foreign currency earnings English Version

Sri Lanka High Commission in Canberra

14 April 2020



Minister Dinesh Gunawardena explores possibilities to assist Sri Lankan Migrant workers

Minister of Foreign Relations, Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations, Dinesh Gunawardena met with the Secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Relations, the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), today (10 April 2020), at the Ministry of Foreign Relations, to discuss ramifications emanating from the present Coronavirus pandemic to Sri Lankan migrant workers abroad and to explore possible mechanisms to assist these Sri Lankans.

Minister Gunawardena referring to approximately over 1 million Sri Lankan migrant workers, who are employed largely in the Middle East, South East Asia, East Asia, Europe, and Africa regions stated that the interests of these Sri Lankans need to be looked into by the two Ministries. During the meeting, he specifically drew the attention of the senior officials to the needs of the migrant workers, who are employed in the Gulf region. Minister Gunawardena said that measures taken by the host countries in this region to curb the spread of the Coronavirus has adversely affected the migrant workers and instructed senior officials to explore solutions to these implications.

The issues of unregistered migrant workers under the SLBFE, those who have recently lost their jobs and issues relating to remittances, were discussed at the meeting, to explore practical solutions, so those migrant workers of Sri Lanka could be assisted well during this challenging time. The Foreign Minister also said that the Government of Sri Lanka would take every possible step to assist and safeguard the rights and wellbeing of Sri Lankan migrant workers all over the world.

Foreign Secretary  Ravinatha Aryasinha, Secretary to the Ministry of Skills Development, Employment and Labour Relations,   D.M. Sarath Abayagunawardana and other Senior Officials who attended the meeting  shared their views and insights on the current situation of migrant workers and emphasized that the two Ministries will work closely for the betterment of the migrant workers.

 

Ministry of Foreign Relations

Colombo

10 April 2020



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