Sri Lankans employed abroad have remitted a record USD 1.5 billion during the first six months of the year, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Keheliya Rambukwella said.
The record sum registered during 2008 is not only a record for the half year period but also makes foreign employment the biggest foreign exchange earner for any industry in Sri Lanka.
The Minister said the Government is concerned about the welfare, safety and proper working conditions of the Sri Lankan expatriate workers. The also said the Government is determined to increase job opportunities for skilled male and female workers and gradually reduce the proportion of female domestic workers employed abroad.