Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Vijitha Herath announced that the new government has ended the corrupt practice where former ministers and their staff took money to secure jobs in Israel. He said a transparent system is now in place to ensure only deserving candidates are selected under the MoU between Sri Lanka and Israel.
Speaking at the 40th-anniversary celebration of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, the Minister noted that political influence and bribery have been eliminated, and officials now work with integrity. He emphasized that Israeli job selections are handled entirely by the Israeli government’s PIBA and that no political interference will be tolerated.
The Minister also warned the public not to pay anyone for foreign job placements, noting that digital systems have been introduced to prevent fraud. Legal action has been taken against those who accepted large sums for fake job offers, especially in countries like Romania. A new law is being prepared to strengthen accountability.
Also, the right to vote for Sri Lankans living abroad is something we have been waiting for for a long time. It is their right. It should be given immediately. The Ministry of Public Administration has already appointed a special committee for that. Through that, we hope to create the necessary legal situation. Through that, we are taking the necessary steps to provide the right to vote to Sri Lankans scattered around the world.
Also, we are already intervening to provide a pension system for Sri Lankans living abroad. The current system is not a successful system. We are taking steps to introduce a contributory pension system for Sri Lankan workers living abroad using the funds available in the Department of Social Services and introduce the necessary legal system.” He stated.
The event was attended by Postmaster General Ruwan Sathkumara, Additional Secretary (Development) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Dr. M.M.S.S.B. Yalegama, Additional Secretary (Administration) Prasad Piyasena, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Kosala Wickramasinghe, Chairman of the Foreign Employment Agency Lal Hettiarachchi, General Manager of the Bureau Priyantha Senanayake and a group of others.
