Over 40 Sri Lankan women who were left stranded without jobs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are now on their way back to their homeland. The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, along with SriLankan Airlines, has stepped in to assist these women by providing air tickets and essential travel documents.

The reasons for their plight vary, with some arriving on visit visas in hopes of finding better opportunities but facing difficulties, while others saw their employment visas expire but were unable to return home. To address this challenging situation, these women are being repatriated in groups, with the first group having already safely returned to Sri Lanka last month. The gratitude expressed by one returning expatriate highlights the relief felt by these women who were once stranded and hopeless.

Alexi Gunasekera, the consul-general at the Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Dubai, emphasized their duty to find solutions for these citizens and praised the quick response of SriLankan Airlines in arranging their airfare, showcasing the airline’s remarkable sense of social responsibility. This collaborative effort between the consulate and the airline serves as a shining example of compassion and support for fellow Sri Lankans facing adversity in a foreign land.

Sri Lankan nationals make up a significant portion of the UAE’s expatriate community, with around 0.32 million or 3.17 percent of the Emirates’ 9 million-plus population. Their repatriation journey underscores the power of cooperation and the willingness to assist those in need during challenging times.