China unofficially raises concern over its citizens facing discrimination in SL

31 January 2020 05:55 am - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Chinese officials have unofficially raised concerns with the Sri Lankan government over some incidents of discrimination faced by Chinese nationals in Sri Lanka, stating that they were being turned away from public areas such as restaurants, hotels, hospitals, spas and supermarkets by locals who were worried that they may be carrying the novel coronavirus, the Daily Mirror learns.

Informed sources in the government said that China had unofficially updated Sri Lankan authorities over some such incidents and it is learnt that the matter will be discussed when the government's special task force meet today afternoon.

Sources said that the matter had been unofficially brought to the notice of the Presidential Secretariat as well and it was being looked into.

"There is no need for anyone to discriminate against Chinese nationals as the Health Ministry has issued guidelines to prevent the spread of the disease. It has been brought to the government's notice, that some Chinese nationals had been turned away from hospitals while waiters had refused to serve them at some restaurants and hotels. This will be looked into," government sources said.

The Police said that while they had seen several social media posts stating that Chinese nationals were being turned away from public areas, they had not yet received any official complaint.

However a police spokesperson said the matter would be discussed with the Defense Ministry if a complaint is lodged.

The Chinese Embassy in Sri Lanka, in a statement released yesterday said the Sri Lankan public had no reason to fear of the in-coming Chinese nationals after the Spring Festival as exit and entry channels to Wuhan had been temporarily closed and it was improbable for local people to travel to other places including Sri Lanka.

The Embassy further said it has advised employees from Chinese companies from the Hubei province to halt their plans to return back to Sri Lanka and those from other provinces and cities had to quarantine themselves for at least 14 days after arriving in Sri Lanka.

The Embassy said Chinese authorities have halted all outbound group travels and have imposed strict examination and fever-detecting measures at all airports and transport hubs where suspicious cases shall not be allowed to board the aircrafts.

"Chinese authorities have established an all-dimensional and multi-level epidemic containing network where CPC Central leads governments at all levels, has been putting great efforts in Wuhan and other much infected Hubei cities. Chinese authorities have confidence and the capacity to contain the epidemic and win the fight against it," the Chinese Embassy said.(Jamila Husain)

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Comments - 10

Leo Friday, 31 January 2020 08:35 AM

Reverse the incident. Will China not take measures to safe guard their people if Sri lankans had such a case.

lee Friday, 31 January 2020 08:40 AM

i have to clarify one fact to SL friends, regarding the rumors on the social media, " chinese ppl eating everything", i told the similar to my SL friends before, but i emphasized that" some group of ppl, maybe a small group of ppl are behaving like that, the civilized chinese ppl also condem that...

lee Friday, 31 January 2020 08:49 AM

my personal opinion for this virus: 1) a small gorup of ppl eating everything (wild animals), they did some very bad things, but the whole socoety is bearing for the consequence; 2) its a gorvning faliure, just like what happened here in 2019421, especially the hubei local gov, did not control it in its innitial stage...

ANTON Friday, 31 January 2020 08:51 AM

WHEN AN ANT BITE, WE NORMALLY DON'T KILL ALL THE ANTS BUT WE HAVE FEAR OF THEM.

BuffaloaCitizen Friday, 31 January 2020 09:14 AM

China, you need to realize this ignorant country was one that harrassed, maimed

Ravindra Perera Friday, 31 January 2020 09:26 AM

Oh no. When will we ever learn?

Sunil Friday, 31 January 2020 09:50 AM

Prevention is better than cure the travelers should know it . The Chinese government should not let their citizens contaminate other countries as well. Travel bans should be in place.

Sokrates Friday, 31 January 2020 09:52 AM

I have personally observed this discrimination against Chinese people, which is of course sad. But you cannot force a hotel owner who is afraid for himself and his employees to host Chinese people. As always, it's because Sri Lanka's most stupid rumors are circulating. It is even told the nonsense that the virus comes from a laboratory that produces biological weapons.

MANJAM Friday, 31 January 2020 03:35 PM

STUPID SRI LANKANS ATTAITUDE

Not Racist Saturday, 01 February 2020 09:32 AM

It's fair game for an airline to cancel flights (many have done so already) but it's not fair game for a hotel or restaurant to cancel a booking for a Chinese national. China should have taken more precautions. SARS, and now CoronaVirus have both originated from China. Racism, is when you discriminate against a person without a legitimate reason. In this case there is a legitimate fear.

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China unofficially raises concern over its citizens facing discrimination in SL

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