COVID-19 kills 12 more Lankan workers in Mid East

• 35 Lankan migrant workers in Gulf region have died of the pandemic so far
• There were only two women among the 35 victims.

By Piyumi Fonseka

Twelve more Sri Lankan migrant workers in Middle Eastern countries have died due to the COVID-19 during the past three weeks, increasing the death toll to 35, the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB) told the Daily Mirror yesterday.  

By June 19, there were 23 COVID-19 deaths of Sri Lankans who were working in Middle Eastern countries. According to SLFEB Spokesperson Mangala Randeniya, the deaths had been reported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Lebanon.  

“There were only two women among the 35 victims. The rest were men,” he said.  

The SLFEB said the final rites of all 35 Sri Lankan migrant workers who died during past four months had been conducted in their respective host countries due to COVID-19 related health concerns. The family members of the deceased in Sri Lanka had given their consent, understanding the current situation, Randeniya said.  

Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, more than 50,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers mainly in Gulf countries were left with no way out as the government delayed their repatriations citing safety reasons and lack of quarantine facilities in the country. With increasing demands, the Sri Lankan government recently resumed the repatriation process. Meanwhile, despite strict health and travel restrictions in force, the Middle Eastern countries are still reporting rising numbers of new COVID-19 cases.  

By June 19, there were 23 COVID-19 deaths of Sri Lankans who were working in Middle Eastern countries. According to SLFEB Spokesperson Mangala Randeniya, the deaths had been reported from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Oman and Lebanon.  

“There were only two women among the 35 victims. The rest were men,” he said.  

The SLFEB said the final rites of all 35 Sri Lankan migrant workers who died during past four months had been conducted in their respective host countries due to COVID-19 related health concerns. The family members of the deceased in Sri Lanka had given their consent, understanding the current situation, Randeniya said.  

Since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, more than 50,000 Sri Lankan migrant workers mainly in Gulf countries were left with no way out as the government delayed their repatriations citing safety reasons and lack of quarantine facilities in the country. With increasing demands, the Sri Lankan government recently resumed the repatriation process. 

• By June 19, there were 23 COVID-19 deaths of Sri Lankans who were working in Middle Eastern countries