COLOMBO – The Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has offered to waive all fees and fines liable to be paid by Sri Lankan migrant workers who could not leave the country before their visas expired due to COVID-19 related airport closures.
A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the overstaying workers will be permitted to leave the Kingdom through Immigration points at the airports without being charged any fees or levied fines. However, the statement noted, the waiver was a temporary measure taken by the Saudi government due to the circumstances faced by the Sri Lankan migrant workers, due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The foreign ministry said Saudi government decision provides significant relief to Sri Lankan migrant workers who are currently in the process of repatriation. It also noted the decision signifies the strong bilateral relations the two countries are currently enjoying and underlines the proactive engagement the Foreign Ministry of Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Embassy in Riyadh have with the Saudi authorities.
-ENCL