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The Ukrainians stuck in Sri Lanka wait and wait
A peaceful demonstration by the Ukrainian community in Sri Lanka took place on March 24 at the Dutch Reformed Church in Galle.
Stranded in Sri Lanka: Ukrainians stage protest
According to data from the Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), more than 4,100 Ukrainians are in Sri Lanka, of which 800 have registered with the Ukraine Embassy. The unregistered Ukrainians are in constant contact with the Ukraine coordination office. Fly Dubai, Air Arabia, and Turkish Airlines have provided assistance to their passengers to fly back to Poland, Romania, Czech Republic and Germany.
The Ukraine Embassy in India has established a coordination office in Sri Lanka to aid travellers seeking help. It provides humanitarian, financial and legal assistance. The Sri Lanka government granted free visa extensions for two months from February 21 to April 21 to Ukrainian and Russian tourists due to the closure of airports and non-operation of airlines. The France Embassy has also extended temporary protection for Ukrainians stuck here, under the condition they can visit France without a visa, provided they have a valid Ukrainian passport and proof they were residing in Ukraine before February 24. The Ukraine Embassy in India has requested the Sri Lankan government for a further free extension of visa, if necessary.
“Sri Lankan people are so helpful and kind,” said Mr Samsz Hackeem, head of the Ukraine Coordination office and the representative officer of the Ukraine Embassy. Tourism groups on Facebook have been flooded with messages from many Sri Lankans, who have opened up their resorts and homes to Ukrainians facing difficulties and have offered free accommodation and meals. Ukrainians living in Sri Lanka too have opened up their homes to assist their compatriots. A group known as ‘Stranded in Sri Lanka’ connects those who need help and those who are offering help.
“I offered free accommodation and food in 2 rooms in my guest house to Ukrainians,” said K Malith Suranga, owner of guest house ‘Basilea’ in Beruwala. “A lot of them are staying down south.”
“Our Farm House is offered free to Ukrainian tourists and many inquiries have been made regarding it,” shared Janik Jayasuriya, Managing Director of Celeste Daily. He is offering his guest establishment, ‘The Farm House by Celeste’ in Ambewela to Ukrainians in need of support.
A homestay and hostel in Kandy called ‘Ceylon Shine’ has also been offered free of charge. “I haven’t had any Ukrainian tourists here as they prefer to stay down south,” said the owner.
“We mostly help and communicate through social media,” said Kate, a Ukrainian fashion designer, living in Sri Lanka. Her family (father, 62, mother, 61) were in Kharkiv, Ukraine. “My family had to take the evacuation trains. There are no tickets and you just wait until you get a train,” she remarked. Kate’s family had to wait for 24 hours to get on a train. They also had to go to a nearby bomb shelter a few times.
Her family had been inside the corridor of a crowded train in complete darkness with no food, water or toiletries amongst the thousands fleeing the country. “Once they got to Western Ukraine, it was easier.” Kate and her partner flew to Poland to meet her family to aid them.
Kate’s partner has set up a room in his former guesthouse in Unawatuna, to provide Ukrainians with information and a mode of communication. It has 24/7 internet facilities even in the midst of power cuts to provide a space for them to communicate with their families.
Mr Hackeem assured that no problems have arisen so far for Ukrainians stuck in Sri Lanka and that they have received a lot of European and local support.
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