The Consulate General of Sri Lanka in Nicosia organised a Community Outreach programme for the Sri Lankan migrant community on Sunday (26), marking the first anniversary of the Missionโs establishment and providing an opportunity to raise awareness among the community on a range of Consular, Employment, and Welfare-related matters.
The Consulate General was established in July 2025. To mark the completion of one year of operation, a comprehensive gathering comprising informative sessions and awareness programmes was organised to apprise Sri Lankan migrant workers of matters relevant to their legal stay and welfare. Cyprus remains one of the key employment destinations for Sri Lankan nationals, with approximately 10,000 Sri Lankans currently residing and working across various sectors of the economy, the majority in the domestic sector, generating a considerable inflow of foreign remittances to Sri Lanka.
The programme commenced with the launch of the Consulate Generalโs official website, followed by an introduction to the Government of Sri Lankaโs digital Consular facilities. Systems such as LankaKonect, the Temporary Travel Document (TTD), the Emergency Travel Document (ETD), and e-BMD were explained in detail and demonstrated through a practical session with the direct participation of attendees.
The Awareness sessions addressed emerging issues concerning legal stay, workplace-related disputes, the Consulate Generalโs role in cases of detention and Legal proceedings, employer transfer issues, repatriation, the challenges faced by families left behind, and the registration of late births, among other matters.
Addressing the gathering, Consul General Niyas reviewed the Consulate Generalโs one-year journey, outlining its achievements, the challenges encountered, and its future plans of work. Sharing his observations on bilateral relations, economic and cultural diplomacy, and the promotion of Sri Lankan employment in Cyprus, he underscored the challenges that lie ahead and the ways in which the community could support the Consulate Generalโs work.
He appealed to the community to support the sustenance and expansion of employment opportunities and encouraged members to help establish networking and connectivity between local Cypriot companies and importers and Sri Lankan exporters availing the upcoming Expo 2027.
