The Sri Lankan ambassador to Israel, Nimal Bandara, announced today (24) that the body of Sri Lankan nurse Anula Ratnayake Jayathilaka, who tragically lost her life in a recent Hamas militant attack while working in Israel, has been identified. Family members participated in a video conference to confirm her identity. Following this, arrangements are being made to repatriate her remains to Sri Lanka.
A memorial service and religious ceremonies in memory of Anula Ratnayake Jayathilaka are scheduled to be held on 25th October 2023 at 11:00 AM at the flower hall at Amal 44, Petach Tikva. The event will be attended by officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy, the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and PIBA. Sri Lankans residing in Israel who wish to pay their respects are invited to join the ceremony.
Additionally, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Israel has successfully negotiated with Israeli authorities to facilitate visa renewals for Sri Lankans who arrived in Israel on visas but could not return due to the expiry of their visas. These individuals will be provided with employment opportunities in the agricultural sector. This initiative comes amidst the ongoing conflict in Israel, leading to increased job openings in agriculture as part of efforts to bolster food production, storage, and security. The embassy is actively assisting Sri Lankans without visas and those in other sectors to obtain the necessary permits, with information collection taking place today and tomorrow (October 24 and 25). These diplomatic efforts aim to support the Sri Lankan community in Israel during these challenging times.
