Philippines moves to repatriate Filipinos in Lanka

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of the Philippines has ordered the immediate repatriation of Filipinos in Sri Lanka who want to return home amid the ongoing economic crisis in the country, foreign media reports said.

“Get them home. We have the money,” Foreign Affairs Secretary of Philippines Teodoro Locsin Jr. said on Sunday.

Locsin issued the order to attend to Filipinos who would seek repatriation amid the ongoing financial crisis in Sri Lanka.

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary Sarah Lou Arriola said the department, through the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka and the Philippine Consulate in Colombo, continues to monitor the current economic crisis in Sri Lanka.

“We are also closely coordinating with Filipino community leaders on the situation on the ground,” Arriola added.

Last week, the DFA said they were ready to repatriate nationals should circumstances necessitate their return to the Philippines.

Filipinos in Sri Lanka who wish to return to the Philippines may contact the Philippine Consulate in Colombo through +94 114322267; +94 114322268; +94 112307162; philcon.cmb@cotrop.net; or philcon1.cmb@cotrop.net.

They can also reach out to the Philippine Embassy in Dhaka, Bangladesh through +88 01735349427 and dhaka.pe@dfa.gov.ph.

Arriola said distressed overseas Filipino workers in Sri Lanka may also reach the DFA by sending a message to their Facebook page, OFW Help.