A total of 44 Sri Lankans who were detained in different prisons across the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been pardoned by a Royal order.

The UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs 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 52nd National Day of the UAE that fell on December 02.

The pardoning of the Sri Lankan prisoners comes in the wake of President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s recent visit to the UAE to attend COP28 and in the context of the strong bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and the UAE.

It is expected that pardoning of the Sri Lankan detainees would contribute to further strengthening these friendly relations, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi said in a statement.

These 44 Sri Lankans who have received the Royal pardon will be repatriated to Sri Lanka by the government of the UAE in due course.

The Sri Lankan Embassy 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.

Ambassador of Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi Udaya Indrarathne has extended gratitude to the UAE government, and its Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior for making arrangements to pardon these Sri Lankans.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sri Lanka has expressed its appreciation regarding the empathy and generosity shown by the leadership of the UAE towards the matter.