Sri Lankan activist Sameera Mehboobdeen, who joined the international “Global Sumud Flotilla” mission aimed at breaking the naval blockade of Gaza, has been confirmed safe and deported from Israel, according to officials and sources in contact with her.
Sources said Mehboobdeen was taken to Ramon Airport in southern Israel to board a flight to Istanbul, arriving at 5:50 PM local time. Sri Lankan Embassy officials met her briefly before departure but were permitted to ask only one question regarding her physical condition. “She said she is fine,” the sources said. The Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara has been notified to provide any necessary assistance on arrival.
The deportation comes as Israel began releasing hundreds of activists detained after attempting to breach the blockade. The Israel-based legal advocacy group Adalah said most international activists were being transferred to a civilian airport near the southern Israeli city of Eilat for deportation.
The development closes one of the most active consular cases of the cycle. Mehboobdeen left Sri Lanka in April to join the Global Sumud Flotilla, an international solidarity mission involving activists from nearly 100 countries. Her detention drew sustained government attention after the Israeli Navy intercepted the flotilla on May 18.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday earlier expressed “deep concern and profound distress” over footage posted by Israeli Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir that allegedly showed the dehumanising treatment of flotilla detainees. The ministry said Sri Lanka was engaging the Israeli Foreign Ministry through diplomatic channels for consular access and guarantees on safety, well-being, dignity, and swift repatriation.
“The Government of Sri Lanka remains fully committed to ensuring the protection of its citizens abroad,” the earlier MFA statement said.
The MFA had also raised the case through diplomatic channels for safe release on May 19, days before the deportation went through.
