Body of Sri Lankan killed in Hamas attack in Israel repatriated

The body of Anula Ratnayaka, a Sri Lankan national who lost her life during the recent Hamas attack in Israel, was repatriated to Colombo on Sunday, the Sri Lankan police have said.

Ratnayaka, 49, was working as a caregiver in Israel when the attack occurred on October 7. She was one of the three Sri Lankan nationals reported missing in the early days of the attack. The other two, both males, were later found.

Ratnayaka died due to gun shot injuries, police said.

Her body was brought to her house in the north Colombo suburb of Kelaniya on Sunday morning, and the funeral will take place on Monday, they said.

Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.

Meanwhile, foreign minister Ali Sabry said on Sunday that Sri Lanka had voted in favour of the UN General Assembly resolution on Gaza.

“Protecting civilians and releasing hostages, establishing a humanitarian pause and avoiding escalation of violence are priorities for Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka is in favour of peace with a two-state solution,” he said.

The 193-member UN General Assembly on Friday voted on the draft resolution titled ‘Protection of civilians and upholding legal and humanitarian obligations’ submitted by Jordan and co-sponsored by over 40 nations, including Bangladesh, Maldives, Pakistan, Russia and South Africa.

• Israel-Palestine crisis: Gaza 'civil order starting to break down' as food stores ransacked, warns UN