SL Announces Emergency Measures for Tourism & Migrant Workers Amid ME Tensions š
The Government of Sri Lanka has launched an urgent action plan to safeguard the tourism sector and protect the welfare of migrant workers following recent unrest and airspace closures in the Middle East. ā¢ Support for International Tourists Visa Extensions: A free 14-day visa extension granted to tourists currently in SL facing travel disruptions. Repatriation: Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with airlines to establish alternative flight routes for those affected by regional airspace closures. Industry Stability: Discussions held with SLAITO and THASL to ensure domestic transport and hotel operations remain seamless for incoming visitors. ā¢ 24/7 Emergency Assistance Tourism Hotline: A special unit at the SLTDA is reachable via 1912 for tourist concerns. Migrant Worker Hotline: The Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has activated 1989 for workers overseas. ā¢ Strategic Coordination The Presidential Secretariat, in coordination with diplomatic missions in the Gulf, has established an integrated mechanism to monitor the safety of the massive Sri Lankan labor force in the region, a critical source of foreign remittances. _Status: Based on official government directives as of March 02, 2026._