The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has revealed alarming irregularities at the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), including the migration of 683 underage individuals as domestic workers between May 2023 and June 2024.
The findings were disclosed during a recent COPE meeting at the Parliament Complex.
– Underage Migrants: 683 underage persons were sent abroad as domestic workers due to ad hoc and irregular procedures.
– Training Revenue Loss: The SLBFE incurred a loss of Rs 631.1 million by failing to provide mandatory residential training to 28,165 first-time migrant domestic workers.
– Tourist Visa Abuse: 4,942 domestic workers were sent abroad on tourist visas, bypassing proper channels.
– Financial Mismanagement: The SLBFE spent excessively on renting and purchasing shops for programs, including Rs 500,000 for a shop in Jaffna and Rs 12.5 million for 25 shops, based on recommendations from the Ministry Secretary.
