News

Special notice for Lankans in Dubai as UAE declares visa amnesty

Published

7 months ago

September 6, 2024

editor

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) government has launched a two-month amnesty scheme starting from 01 September 2024. This initiative provides an opportunity for individuals to correct their visa status or return to their home countries without incurring fines or facing entry bans.

In support of this amnesty, the Consulate General in Dubai has arranged special consular services for Sri Lankans from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, from Monday to Friday, in addition to the regular consular services conducted from 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM daily. Similarly, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi has a special consular support program running from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, from Monday to Friday.

According to the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security (ICP), the amnesty provisions extend to individuals born in the UAE without official documentation.

However, the amnesty does not apply to individuals who have entered the country illegally, those who have been previously deported or have deportation cases against them by the UAE or other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as those who absconded from their employer after 01 September 2024.

Individuals who wish to exit the country must apply for an exit permit, which is valid for 14 days from the date of issuance. If those who obtain exit permits do not depart within this period, previous fines and restrictions will be reinstated. Those who wish to remain in the country must regularize their visa status.

For further assistance, Sri Lankan nationals in the UAE are encouraged to visit the Consulate General in Dubai during the designated hours or contact the Consulate General for more information via the following channels:

Email: [email protected]
Telephone: +971 4 611 55 00 or +971 4 611 55 55

The Consulate General also requests that relatives of Sri Lankans living in the United Arab Emirates without legal residency permits to inform them of the opportunity given and make use of this time period to rectify their residency status or return to Sri Lanka under the amnesty granted.

The Consulate General remains committed to ensuring the welfare of all Sri Lankans in Dubai and Northern Emirates and will continue to provide necessary support and services during this amnesty period.
(Consulate General of Sri Lanka – Dubai)

News

State oil anointing ceremony takes place today

Published

7 minutes ago

April 16, 2025

editor

The annual State oil anointing ceremony, held in conjunction with the Sinhala and Tamil New Year, is scheduled to take place today (April 16) at 9:04 a.m. at the Sri Maha Natha Devalaya premises, located within the Sri Dalada Maligawa Square in Kandy.

The anointing of oil will take place at 09.04 am on April 16 while donned in green attire facing Southwards, with Kohomba leaves above the head and ‘Kolon’ leaves at the feet, as per the traditional almanac.

News

Thundershowers expected in several areas today

Published

41 minutes ago

April 16, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology states that showers or thundershowers will occur at several places in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, Southern, North-western, Uva, and North-central provinces during the afternoon or night today (April 16).

A few showers may also occur in the Western Province and in the Galle, Matara, Puttalam, and Mannar districts in the morning, according to the Dep. of Meteorology.

Fairly heavy falls of over 50 mm are likely in some areas of the Central, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Uva provinces.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

Misty conditions can be expected at some places in Central, Sabaragamuwa and Uva provinces and in Polonnaruwa district during the morning.

News

02 arrested with over Rs. 5.7M on money laundering charges

Published

11 hours ago

April 15, 2025

editor

Two suspects have been arrested on charges of money laundering and aiding and abetting money laundering, along with Rs. 5,745,000 in cash found in their possession.

The arrests were made as part of the ongoing island-wide crime and drug prevention operation initiated under the directives of the Acting IGP.

The two individuals were taken into custody near Thunmodara Junction in the Kirulapone Police Division after being observed acting suspiciously in a three-wheeler during a search.

They were brought to the Kirulapone Police Station, where further investigations were launched, police said.

According to police, the suspects – aged 49 and 39 – are residents of Siddhartha Road, Kirulapone.

One of the individuals is the owner of a LP gas shop in the area. Preliminary investigations have uncovered possible links between him and illegal drug trafficking activities.

One suspect has been formally arrested for money laundering, while the other has been charged with aiding and abetting the offense, police added.

Kirulapone Police are continuing investigations to determine whether the seized funds originated from narcotics-related activities or from the suspect’s business operations.

(adaderana.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by adaderana.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)