A special investigation unit, comprised of police officers, was launched yesterday (18) at the head office of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to look into complaints related to foreign employment and provide swift resolutions.
The unit, consisting of 16 police officers including a Chief Police Inspector, was established with the goal of preventing foreign employment fraud and providing quick solutions to complaints to bring relief to the migrant community. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment, Arun Hemachandra, noted that this unit was swiftly established after the new government came into power.
“Special Police Investigation Unit for complaints related to foreign employment”
Speaking further at the event, the Deputy Minister stated: “I believe that in recent times, the number of complaints has increased. The reason is that parties engaged in foreign employment fraud are rapidly using various sophisticated tactics. It’s a group that is constantly evolving to commit these frauds. Some groups commit fraud as agencies not registered with the Bureau, while a smaller number of registered agencies also commit fraud. In the past, the name of this institution was tarnished by some politicians, which caused people to lose trust. However, that situation is now completely changing. This institution was established in 1985. Our foundation is to be the regulatory authority for foreign employment. While some people come here with the hope of going abroad for work, the majority, generally speaking, come to make a complaint or share their grievances. Our task is to provide effective and swift solutions to the complaints of those who come here.”
The Deputy Minister also mentioned that necessary measures would be taken to regulate the foreign employment sector by either amending the Foreign Employment Bureau Act or, if necessary, introducing a new act.
The event was attended by Kosala Wickramasinghe, Chairman of the SLBFE; B.M.T. Basnayake, Assistant Superintendent of Police at the Central Criminal Investigation Department; D.D.P. Senanayake, General Manager of the SLBFE, and other officials.
