COLOMBO, March 4 (Xinhua) -- Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken steps to evacuate Sri Lankans living in the Middle East if security conditions worsen and citizens request assistance, a senior ministry spokesman told journalists on Wednesday.

The ministry is currently assessing requirements and collecting necessary data to carry out an evacuation if necessary, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Thushara Rodrigo.

Sri Lankans seeking to return in an emergency should notify the ministry through Sri Lanka's diplomatic missions in the region, said Rodrigo.

There are over a million Sri Lankans working in the Middle East. ■