Govt. seeks safety guarantees for Sri Lankan detained by Israel

Colombo, May 21 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lankan government expressed deep concern and profound distress over footage posted by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, which appears to depict the dehumanising treatment of detainees of the “Global Sumud Flotilla’’, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism said.

The Ministry said it is already engaging with the Israeli Foreign Ministry through diplomatic channels to secure immediate consular access to the affected Sri Lankan national, including guarantees for her safety, wellbeing and dignity and swift and safe repatriation to Sri Lanka.

"The Government of Sri Lanka remains fully committed to ensuring the protection of its citizens abroad," the Ministry said.

The Gaza-bound Global Sumud Flotilla was intercepted by Israeli authorities, and several persons on board including Sri Lankan national Sameera Mehboobdeen was reportedly taken into custody, Deputy Foreign Minister Arun Hemachandra told Parliament recently.

He said Sri Lanka’s embassy in Tel Aviv had formally requested access to Mehboobdeen to confirm her condition, ensure her safety and verify the legal and procedural basis of her detention.