OVERSTAYERS STAY FIRM

Stranded Sri Lankan workers who are roughing it under the Kandarah bridge in Jeddah refused an offer of accommodation from the Sri Lankan Consulate in Jeddah. They claim staying there will facilitate quicker deportation. Visiting Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila, who met the workers under the bridge, confirmed that accommodation facilities had been offered to them at the consulate. “But they rejected the offer since they feel staying under the bridge will give them an opportunity to get immigration clearance soon and they would be sent back at the expense of the Saudi government,” Bhaila said. However, he added that as a relief measure, he had made arrangements to deliver lunch and dinner packets daily to around 260 Sri Lankans, which included 50 women, until their departure to the government deportation camp.