The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued details of 37 Sri Lankans currently in Iran amidst the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to the Foreign Ministry, four Sri Lankans have departed the country in recent days.

As of 21 June, four staff members of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Tehran continue to remain in Iran.

Furthermore, four Sri Lankans are due to leave Iran through the Turkey border tomorrow while three others are due to leave via Azerbaijan.

Thushara Rodrigo, the Director General of Public Diplomacy Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism stated that four Sri Lankans are scheduled to use the repatriation facility provided by the government of India to leave Iran shortly.

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka has extended its gratitude to the government of India for the timely assistance to evacuate Sri Lankans from Iran.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath said he is thankful to the government of India for the timely support in evacuating Sri Lankans from Iran alongside Indian citizens.

This thoughtful act reflects the deep bonds and enduring partnership between Sri Lanka and India, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath added.

Following formal requests from the governments of Nepal and Sri Lanka, the Indian Embassy in Tehran on Saturday said that it will now extend its evacuation efforts under Operation Sindhu to include citizens from both neighbouring countries, according to the Economic Times of India.

The decision comes amid tensions in Iran’s ongoing conflict with Israel entering the ninth day.