COVID–19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund, Sri Lanka

April 3, 2020

The Government of Sri Lanka set up ‘COVID-19 Healthcare and Social Security Fund’ on 23^rd March 2020, to strengthen the activities aimed at controlling the spread of COVID-19 virus in the country and to support the related social welfare programmes in response to the novel corona virus outbreak in Sri Lanka. This Fund which is managed under a committee consisting of relevant line Ministry Secretaries, bankers, financial analysts and health authorities has now surpassed Rs. 242 million with direct deposits and donations received from organizations and individual donors.

The objectives of this Fund are:

• To provide immediate funding requirement of Director General, Health Services to meet all expenditure connected with COVID-19 related healthcare facilities including drugs, testing equipment and capacity expenses.
• To meet expenses connected to healthcare and safety of health sector employees and all logistic providers working to provide essential public delivery services.
• To provide basic essentials to children,women,low-income,elderly, differently-abled and vulnerable people.
• To mobilize required funding to strengthen public healthcare systems, including village and remote area dispensaries, testing and treatment centers, family healthcare system, to further consolidate Sri Lanka’s public healthcare system to reduce country risks to communicable diseases.
• To assist indigenous medicine, sanitary product manufacturing and distribution, promote research to use resources, knowledge and skills to innovate new health and sanitation products based on local raw materials.
• To promote research and innovation using Sri Lanka’s medical and scientific knowledge and experience to develop protective dresses and sanitation products to global market.
• To promote healthy living with organic food consumption, valuing traditional, yet rich living styles, through media and educational programmes.
• To coordinate fund raising with WHO, UNICEF, UNDP, World Bank, ADB and Sri Lanka’s major development partner community and agencies based on best guidelines for resource allocations, harmonized national procurement system and governance practices.

In response to the interest shown by expatriate Sri Lankan community and well-wishers around the world to support the efforts made by the Government of Sri Lanka in curtailing the spread of the virus in the country and associated social welfare, Sri Lanka Missions/Posts are directed to guide the prospective donors.

High Commission of Sri Lanka in Canberra

03 April 2020

Central Bank requests Sri Lankans and well-wishers to make foreign currency deposits in the Country’s banking system

April 3, 2020

The Central Bank of Sri Lanka has made an appeal to Sri Lankans and well-wishers living in Sri Lanka and abroad to make foreign currency deposits within the country’s banking system of Licensed Commercial Banks and Specialised Financial Institutions as a gesture of goodwill and assistance to Sri Lanka and its people during the three months commencing from April 2, 2020, in support of the wide-ranging national effort to safeguard people from coronavirus, to bring its spread under control and to provide healthcare and social security to the people.

The Central Bank has announced that foreign currency deposits in Sri Lankan banking system at this difficult stage will be of immense help to authorities to tide over the present crisis.

The Central Bank has guaranteed that foreign currency deposits into the Sri Lankan banking system will be accepted without hindrance from the government, Central Bank or any other government authority, and future convertibility of these deposits into foreign currency whenever the depositors desire to do so. All  such foreign exchange remittances will be exempted from Exchange Control Regulations and taxes and protected under banking secrecy provisions.

UPDATE 01 April 2020 – Extension of Visas for the Foreigners in Sri Lanka

April 3, 2020

Having considered the spread of Covid-19 virus in the country, it has been decided to further extend the validity period of all types of Visas issued to all foreigners who are currently residing in Sri Lanka for another 30 days.

Such foreign nationals are kindly requested to proceed as advised below:

2. The validity period of all types of Visas will be extended till 12th May 2020.
3. The procedure to pay the relevant visa fee and to get the visa endorsed in the Passport will be informed later. Hence, the foreign nationals are hereby informed to refrain from visiting the Visa Division of the Department of Immigration and Emigration as mentioned in the previous notice.
4. If any foreign national intends to leave the island during the aforementioned period; the journey will be facilitated by paying the relevant visa fee at the Airport without any penalty.
5. The validity period of the Acknowledgements issued for the applications already submitted to the Department of Immigration and Emigration to obtain visas, will also be extended for another period of 30 days; till 12th May 2020. If any foreign national intends to leave the country during the given period, a request to obtain his/her passport along with a scan copy of the Acknowledgement and the flight ticket should be sent to the following email addresses. Necessary advice in this regard, will be communicated accordingly via the same channel.

dcvisa@immigration.gov.lk

acvisa@immigration.gov.lk

acvisa1@immigration.gov.lk

acvisa2@immigration.gov.lk

aceta@immigration.gov.lk

Further information may be obtained by calling telephone number +94771588724.

Donations to Sri Lanka to fight COVID – 19 Pandemic

March 30, 2020

• COVID – 19 Notices

• COVID – 19 Related News

• Registration for COVID – 19 Assistance

Special Notice from the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka Regarding the Closure Of Airports

March 30, 2020

According to instructions received from Sri Lanka Health Authorities, all international Airports in Sri Lanka will continue  to be closed for the operation of inbound  international commercial passenger flights (i.e. arrivals) until  2359 hrs on 07^th April 2020  (local time in Sri Lanka) .The closure will be reviewed by the Sri Lanka Authorities.

However, during the above mentioned restricted period, the following will be permitted: Read More »

Important Notice Regarding Temporary Visas for Sri Lankans in Australia

March 30, 2020

As you are already aware, the Government of Sri Lanka has urged Overseas Sri Lankans who wish to return to Sri Lanka to safely remain where they are now until the risk of COVID-19 virus is minimized.

However, if you have an issue with the validity of your temporary visa due to the extended stay in Australia you need to contact the Department of Home Affairs in Australia and you must apply for a new visa before your current visa expires. Following information from the Australian Department of Home Affairs will be useful for you: Read More »

Over 17,000 Overseas Sri Lankans register on ‘Contact Sri Lanka’

March 29, 2020

Over 17,457 Overseas Sri Lankans (OSL) had by Saturday noon (28 March), registered on the ‘Contact Sri Lanka’ Online Portal of the Ministry of Foreign Relations. Of these, 6773 are from the Middle East region, 1892 from Europe, 1302 from South Asia, 1028 from North America and over 6000 from other parts of the world.

This portal jointly created by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and the Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) for the benefit of Overseas Sri Lankans, was launched on Thursday (26 March 2020). Read More »

Important Notice From The Sri Lanka High Commission

March 28, 2020

As you are aware, the Government of Sri Lanka has urged all Sri Lankans who wish to return to Sri Lanka to safely remain where they are currently staying until the COVID-19 situation in Sri Lanka is brought under control.

In this situation it is extremely important that you all remain healthy and safe. Kindly follow the advice of the health services to protect you from the virus (such as practising good hygiene, social distancing and avoiding public gatherings).

In this difficult time the High Commission of Sri Lanka along with the Consulate General Offices of Melbourne andSydney is available to extend assistance to you.

If you have any specific concerns/needs kindly contact the closest Sri Lanka High Commission/ Consulate General Office in Australia.

Sri Lanka High Commission, Canberra:
Hotline: 0061-492416141 (email: slhc.canberra@mfa.gov.lk or admin@slhcaust.org )

Sri Lanka Consulate General ,Melbourne:
Hotline: 0061-407000135
e-mail: mail@slcgmel.org or slcg.melbourne@mfa.gov.lk

Sri Lanka Consulate General, Sydney:
Hotline: 0061-499020830, 0061- 470394376,0061 – 4699804834

Email: slcg.sydney@mfa.gov.lk or slcgconsul@bigpond.com or consularservices48@gmail.com

High Commission of Sri Lanka

Canberra

Canberra

Special request by the Government to Sri Lankan expatriates

March 28, 2020

The Media Release issued by the President’s Media Division

Online portal (Contact Sri Lanka)

March 27, 2020

The  High Commission of Sri Lanka wishes to inform that  an on-line portal (Contact Sri Lanka) has now been launched by the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Information & Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) for the benefit of overseas Sri Lankans. All Sri Lankans living abroad are invited to register voluntarily allowing the Government of Sri Lanka to reach out and provide assistance. This online portal can be accessed at. www.contactsrilanka.mfa.gov.lk.