No decision to stop sending workers to Lebanon

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) yesterday assured that there was no immediate danger to Sri Lankans working in Lebanon despite the current volatile political situation there. SLBFE Chairman Amal Senalankadikara said that his department has not taken a decision to stop sending workers to Lebanon. He refuted some media claims to the contrary. However, the SLBFE Chairman said his organisation will continue to monitor the situation closely and take appropriate action to ensure the safety of Lankan workers.

Certain media recently reported that the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Lebanon had informed the Foreign Ministry to temporarily halt sending Lankan workers until the situation improves. The SLBFE said so far they have not been informed of any such request.

However the SLBFE Chairman said utmost caution will be applied when sending workers to Lebanon.

More than 80,000 Sri Lankans work in Lebanon.The SLBFE said 5,140 Sri Lankans left for jobs in Lebanon in 2011 and so far this year 1,790 workers have left for employment. Meanwhile, foreign media reported that the political crisis in Lebanon has reached a critical point as violent clashes broke out. Confrontations have caused the country’s worst internal crisis since the 1975-1990 civil war and aggravated sectarian tension between Sunnis loyal to the government and Shi’ites who support the Opposition.

- AA