President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has instructed officials to ensure that all government assistance due to Sri Lankan migrant workers is provided without delay or obstruction, recognising their significant contribution to the country’s economy through foreign exchange earnings.
President Dissanayake made these remarks during a discussion with officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) at the Presidential Secretariat, according to the President’s Media Division.
The meeting focused on the implementation and progress of welfare programmes operated by the Bureau for Sri Lankan migrant workers, as well as challenges encountered in providing housing schemes, loan facilities and duty-free concessions.
President Dissanayake stressed the importance of ensuring that eligible migrant workers receive the assistance and benefits available to them without unnecessary barriers, the PMD noted.
He also highlighted the need to maintain an accurate and updated database of Sri Lankans employed overseas, noting that reliable information would help authorities implement welfare programmes more systematically and efficiently.
The discussion was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath; Minister of Labour and Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning Dr Anil Jayantha Fernando; Senior Additional Secretary to the President Roshan Gamage; Secretary to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Aruni Ranaraja; SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe; and other officials.
