A video circulating on social media showing a conversation between a Sri Lankan woman and an official of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) at Bandaranaike International Airport is from 2023, according to SLBFE Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe.
He said the incident occurred during a period when special operations were conducted to prevent Sri Lankans from traveling to Myanmar and Thailand on visit visas, as a part of various scams. The conversation took place during one of those periods, he added.
The matter was discussed at the weekly Cabinet media briefing, where Minister Vijitha Herath said he would look into the incident.
The video shows the official informing the woman that female travelers are not permitted to travel alone on a tourist visa. (Newswire)
Shocking incident at BIA: A young woman was reportedly blocked from traveling to Singapore. She was allegedly told, “No, ladies cannot go abroad… We can’t let you go, because those who left are now in brothels.” Investigation needed! #BIA #SriLanka #TravelRestrictions… pic.twitter.com/zni2NJb9wP
— NewsCenter.lk (@NewsCenterLk) October 28, 2025