Forty-four Sri Lankans who were in different prisons across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been pardoned by a Royal order, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi said.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the UAE has formally conveyed to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi that these Sri Lankan prisoners received pardon by the Royal order on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan, April 2024.
Issuing a statement, the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi said that these forty-four Sri Lankans who have received the Royal pardon will be repatriated to Sri Lanka by the Government of the UAE in due course.
The Embassy of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi will collaboratively coordinate with the UAE Government authorities and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka to ensure their safe repatriation, it added.
Meanwhile, Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi Udaya Indrarathne extended his deep appreciation to the Government of the UAE, and its Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior for making arrangements to pardon these Sri Lankans.
The Embassy said it also appreciates the empathy and generosity shown by the leadership of the UAE in this regard.
