Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra said enforcement efforts by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) in 2025 delivered measurable outcomes for migrant workers and their families, following a review meeting with the bureau’s Enforcement Division.
According to the deputy minister, SLBFE received 4,822 public complaints between January and December 2025. Of these, 2,914 complaints were resolved through inquiry and settlement, while 772 cases were filed before courts. Investigations led to 121 arrests, including several high-profile cases, and 21 raids targeting illegal recruitment and related offences.
More than Rs. 380 million was recovered on behalf of affected workers during the year, he said.
Where serious and repeated violations were established following due process, 15 recruitment licences were cancelled to prevent further harm and protect migrant workers. The deputy minister said these actions were taken after careful legal review.
An institutional development highlighted in the review was the establishment of a dedicated Police Unit within SLBFE on 22 September 2025. The unit is intended to strengthen investigative capacity, coordination, and enforcement.
The deputy minister urged the public to remain vigilant by avoiding unregistered agents, exercising caution when dealing with illegal consultancies, and seeking clarification from SLBFE before making commitments related to foreign employment. (Newswire)