Special notice for Sri Lankans in southern Lebanon

Sri Lankans working in southern Lebanon have been advised to immediately register themselves with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Beirut, as deep concerns are rife about a broader regional conflict amid the escalating tensions between Israel and Lebanon on the margins of the Israel-Palestine war.

Accordingly, the following mobile numbers and the e-mail address have been introduced for this purpose:

• 70 386754 – Mr. Sanath Balasuriya, the First Secretary
• 71 960810 – Mr. Priyantha Dassanayake 
• slemb.beirut@mfa.gov.lk

Following the eruption of the Israel-Palestine war, there have been steady exchanges of fire between the Israeli military and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon, which borders Israel to the south and Syria to the north and east.

The tensions began shortly after Hamas, Palestine’s Islamist militant group classified as a terrorist organization by the US and the European Union, launched a large-scale surprise attack on Israel on October 07 which killed an estimated 1,400 Israelis.

The following day, Israel declared war on Hamas, killing at least 2,800 people in their retaliation attacks. The violence has spurred Iran-backed Hezbollah to pledge solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Fears of reignited tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border, which has long been the staging ground for attacks, are widespread after Hezbollah fighters launched attacks on Israeli army posts and a northern border village on Sunday, and Israel retaliated with strikes in Lebanon.