More Sri Lankans return from Thailand
Another flight carrying Sri Lankans who were earlier stranded in Thailand arrived in the country last morning (03). This was the second such flight bringing Sri Lankans home, the first having arrived the previous day.
According to Thailand sources, over 100 Sri Lankans are still stranded in Thailand where earlier anti-government protestors blocked Bangkok’s main Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang airports, effectively brining air travel to and from these airports to a standstill.
Over 360 Sri Lankans were stranded as a result of this action. Those remaining are to be evacuated with immediate effect from Thailand with the assistance of Thai authorities, sources added.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Steps taken to evacuate Sri Lankans stranded in Bangkok
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussein A. Bhaila has told Parliament that a scheduled SriLankan Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Colombo was diverted to a military airbase in Thailand yesterday to evacuate 110 Sri Lankans who had been stranded in Bangkok, following the closure of the main airports there, consequent to the current unrest in the Thai capital.
Making a Statement on the floor of the House today (December 2), the Acting Minister disclosed that a second SriLankan Airlines flight is also due to pick up more passengers from Bangkok today and bring them home.
These arrangements have been made by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok with the Thai authorities, and in coordination with SriLankan Airlines.
The Acting Minister also thanked the Minister of Ports and Aviation and the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines for acceding to the request of the Foreign Ministry to help in the evacuation of the stranded Sri Lankan passengers.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Explosion rocks Don Muang Airport, Thailand
A protest encampment at Don Muang Airport in the Thai capital was rocked by a bomb blast early today morning (02) and a grenade lobbed on anti-government activists who have crippled the government and brought to a halt virtually all civilian air traffic in Thailand, according to foreign news sources,.
The explosion killed one protester and injured more than 20, the Bangkok Nation and Reuters reported. The grenade had been tossed from a toll-road overpass near the airport, it is reported.
There were no reports of problems at the protesters’ massive blockade of Suvarnabhumi International Airport, the country’s main tourist gateway.
Meanwhile a protest by pro-government activists has forced the constitutional court to move a final hearing on a case that could see the ruling party banned.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Steps taken to evacuate Sri Lankans stranded in Bangkok
Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hussein A. Bhaila has told Parliament that a scheduled SriLankan Airlines flight from Hong Kong to Colombo was diverted to a military airbase in Thailand yesterday to evacuate 110 Sri Lankans who had been stranded in Bangkok, following the closure of the main airports there, consequent to the current unrest in the Thai capital.
Making a Statement on the floor of the House today (December 2), the Acting Minister disclosed that a second SriLankan Airlines flight is also due to pick up more passengers from Bangkok today and bring them home.
These arrangements have been made by the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok with the Thai authorities, and in coordination with SriLankan Airlines.
The Acting Minister also thanked the Minister of Ports and Aviation and the Chairman of SriLankan Airlines for acceding to the request of the Foreign Ministry to help in the evacuation of the stranded Sri Lankan passengers.
Courtesy: Government Information Department
Sri Lanka Mission in Bangkok sets up an Emergency Coordinating Desk
The Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok has set up an emergency help desk to assist stranded Sri Lankans in Thailand as a result of the closure of two airports in Bangkok. Suvarnabhumi airport, the main international airport and Bangkok’s main domestic airport, Don Muang, have been closed due to the escalation of anti-government protests.
The Sri Lankan Mission in Bangkok has informed that the Emergency Coordinating Desk will operate daily including weekends from 0800 to 2200 hours and will remain open until the situation returns to normalcy.
The Emergency Coordinating Desk of the Sri Lanka Embassy in Bangkok can be reached on telephone number 00-66-2-2611935.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
28 November 2008
