Colombo – The first and most vulnerable 200 of some 4,000 Sri Lankan migrants stranded in Kuwait will return home today with IOM.

The migrants, who are currently covered by an amnesty extended by the Kuwait government are being allowed to leave the country voluntarily before the 15th of October.   Most have lost their legal visa status in Kuwait due to various difficulties with their employers.

The Sri Lankan government and IOM have been working closely with Kuwait to facilitate the repatriation under an emergency humanitarian framework. 

In response to a request from the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs, IOM is using its own funding to support the initial repatriation of 200 of the most vulnerable, focusing on women, children and people with special needs. They include women, men and children as young as two years old. 

The Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare are providing the necessary diplomatic support to facilitate the repatriation, as well as providing support for the returnees. 

Thanking the government of Kuwait for its understanding and assistance, Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Rohitha Bogollagama said: "I am very pleased to see how this operation was set up in a very short time and under extreme circumstances. We are now able to assist our people to return in dignified conditions.  This is a very good example of how effective cooperation between national mechanisms and international technical assistance impact directly on the lives of people."

IOM Sri Lanka Chief of Mission Mohammed Abdi Ker Mohamud said: "IOM remains committed to addressing the needs of vulnerable migrants.  We are now exploring how to continue supporting both governments on facilitating repatriation of all stranded Sri Lankan nationals in Kuwait."

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For more information please contact: Mohammed Abdi Ker Mohamud, IOM Sri Lanka, Tel.+94.11.533.3432, E-mail: mabdiker@iom.int