The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau has raided a foreign employment agency yesterday operating in Rajagiriya and arrested its owner and another individual while conducting interviews in violation of the regulations of the SLFBE.
The agency reportedly promised employment for individuals at apple orchards in the Netherlands.
According to the Foreign Employment Bureau Act No.21 of 1985, applications for foreign employment cannot be called or advertised without prior approval of the Foreign Employment Bureau.
The Bureau said the employment agency was operating illegally and a Rs.5,000 advance was obtained in order to provide employment in the Netherlands.
As of yesterday more than 300 individual had sat for the interviews.
Following the raid, the individuals attempted to assault the owners of the employment agency.
The Rajagiriya Police was called in to bring the situation under control.
Investigating officers seized 200 passports, Rs.403,080 in cash and other documents including job applications.
The arrested suspects were produced before the Hultsdorf Magistrate’s Court today (10) and were released on two surety bail of Rs.1 million each.
The case will be taken up for further consideration on the 25th of January 2023.
