The Government of Sri Lanka has extended financial assistance amounting to USD 01 Million to provide relief to the people of Myanmar affected by the recent earthquake.

The relevant cheque was officially handed over today (April 10) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, to the Ambassador of Myanmar to Sri Lanka, Her Excellency Marlar Than Htaik.

Despite the prevailing economic challenges in Sri Lanka, the Ambassador of Myanmar expressed her deep appreciation to President Anura Kumara Disanayake and the Government of Sri Lanka for this gesture of solidarity and support towards the disaster-stricken people of Myanmar.

Furthermore, the Ambassador extended her gratitude for Sri Lanka’s decision to deploy relief teams and medical personnel during this difficult time. She also noted that such acts of compassion further strengthen the longstanding religious and cultural friendship between Sri Lanka and Myanmar.

The Ambassador also briefed the Secretary to the President on the current situation in Myanmar following the earthquake.

Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Mr. Roshan Gamage, along with officials from the Embassy of Myanmar, Mr. Winh Wint Khaus Tun and Ms. Lei Yi Win, were also present at this occasion.

(President’s Media Division)

The 24-hour service for one-day passports at the Department of Immigration and Emigration in Battaramulla will be suspended from April 15 – 17.

According to a notice by the department, tokens for one-day services will be issued until 12.00 pm on the said days.

The Department of Immigration and Emigration has arrested 22 Indian nationals who were overstaying their visas in Sri Lanka.

The officials had been observing the suspicious movements of two male Indian nationals last week and questioning them had led to the raiding of a back office of an IT based company.

According to reports, 17 foreigners were found to be overstaying their visit visa, 04 were overstaying their resident visa and another had been overstaying his business visa.

The suspects, aged 25 to 35 years, were transferred to the department’s detention center in Welisara and will be removed from the country shortly.