Job seekers warned

by Ananda KANNANGARA

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) warned Sri Lankans to refrain from leaving the country for employment prospects in Malaysia on tourist visas.

The announcement was made following the detaining of 11 Sri Lankans at the Bandaranaike International Airport, a few hours before their departure to Malaysia with tourist visas. SLBFE Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka told the Sunday Observer that a team of Bureau intelligence officials has been deployed at the airport to keep track of Sri Lankans trying to leave the country for jobs in Malaysia and other countries under the pretext of tourism.

He urged Sri Lankans to find foreign employment through normal procedures by obtaining the Bureau's permission without being duped by bogus job agents.