President Dissanayake emphasises unhindered government assistance for Sri Lankan migrant workers

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has emphasised that Sri Lankan migrant workers, who make a significant contribution to the country’s economy by earning much-needed foreign exchange, must be given all government assistance due to them without hesitation or obstruction.

He made the remarks during a discussion with officials of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (28).

The discussion focused extensively on the implementation and progress of welfare programmes currently carried out by the Bureau for Sri Lankan migrant workers. Issues encountered in providing housing schemes and other loan facilities for these workers, as well as duty-free concessions, were also taken up.

The President highlighted the need to maintain an accurate and up-to-date database of Sri Lankans working overseas, noting that this would enable welfare programmes for them to be implemented in a more systematic and efficient manner.

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, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment Kosala Wickramasinghe and other officials attended the meeting.