ABHA, 17 January — Sri Lankan expatriates living in Asir Province are complaining about the frequent cancellation or postponement of scheduled visits to the region by consular teams from their embassy. On initial notification of the visits, many Sri Lankans — who have to renew their passports — await the arrival of the consular officials, rather than send their passports to the embassy for renewal. The cancellation of the visits therefore results in great inconvenience to the workers, said one Sri Lankan worker based in Khamis Mushayt. Embassy officials explain that the visits have to be called off if no one comes forward to “sponsor” the team, he said, adding that the Sri Lankans in the region are always shocked to find that the embassy insists they arrange board and lodging for the visiting officials. The workers have urged the Sri Lankan mission to arrange consular visits at its own expense, like the embassies of other countries.