“Illegal agency operating under the guise of a Japanese language training centre raided”
Officers of the Special Investigation Unit of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) have raided a fraudulent foreign employment agency in Maho, Kurunegala. The agency had been operating under the guise of a Japanese language training centre while illegally attempting to recruit individuals for jobs in the construction, hotel, and driving sectors in Japan.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged with the Bureau, alleging that the owner of the institution had obtained Rs. 750,000.00 from a person promising a job in Japan but failed to provide the employment as agreed. During the probe, investigation officers utilized an undercover agent to uncover the racket, revealing that the centre was a front for human smuggling. It was also discovered that the agency was involved in forging university degree certificates and other necessary documentation for unqualified individuals.
Accordingly, officers raided the premises located at the Daladagama Junction in Maho and arrested a married couple who managed the operation. Upon searching the location, officials seized job agreements for Japan, payment receipts, promotional leaflets, mobile phones, and laptops. An examination of the laptop revealed templates of forged degree certificates from prominent Sri Lankan universities and fake service certificates designed to mimic those of well-known construction companies.
The arrested suspects were produced before the Maho Magistrate’s Court. Upon pleading guilty to the charges, they were released under strict bail conditions, and the court imposed a foreign travel ban on the couple.
The raid was conducted under the supervision of the Director of the Central Criminal Investigation Division, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kamal Ariyawansha. The team included Chief Inspector P.B. Ariyasinghe (OIC of the Special Investigation Unit), Inspector T.B. de Alwis, and Law Enforcement Officer Srinika Karunaratne.
