Expatriates jailed

by S.M. Wijayaratne, Kurunegala Cor.

Around 400 Sri Lankans expatriates are in jails after being found guilty of various illegal activities in Middle Eastern countries, said Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Deputy General Manager Mangala Randeniya.

The prisoners are undergoing jail sentences in Saudi Arabia, Lebonon and Kuwait.

The Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau is exploring all avenues to get them released as early as possible. In addition, over 135 Sri Lankans have been prosecuted in those countries follwing complaints by their employers.

If they are found guilty of the offences, jail sentences will be imposed on them too. Radeniya said around 1.5 million Sri Lankans are now employed in many countries.He was speaking at a workshop for Sri Lankan job-seekers at the Kuliyapitiya National School, 2014 Deyata Kirula National Development Exhibition.