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COPE asks SLBFE to repatriate stranded Lankan workers with its cash pile

Published

4 years ago

2021/01/28

The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) has instructed the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to explore the possibility of repatriating migrant workers affected by COVID-19 by using its own funds.

COPE Chairman MP Dr. Charitha Herath made the suggestion when the Committee met to discuss the special audit report on the current situation in the field of foreign employment.

The Committee inquired whether there were any legal impediments to the repatriation of Sri Lankan workers from various countries by using the funds of the SLBFE, amounting to Rs. 14 billion.

SLBFE Chairman Kamal Ratwatte said that there was no obstacle to repatriating foreign workers registered with the Bureau at its expense.

Approximately 34,721 workers who lost their jobs due to the fall of oil prices in the Middle East (ME) and the COVID-19 pandemic have already requested the SLBFE to repatriate them. The COPE Chairman said the Bureau needed to have a strategy for the repatriation of migrant workers as the airport was already open.

It was revealed that Rs. 800 million had been spent in 2019 on welfare officers attached to Sri Lankan embassies abroad, and the Committee informed the officials that they should look into whether the expected services were being rendered by the welfare officers.

The COPE also focused on the training courses required for those leaving for foreign employment. These training courses are conducted by the National Apprenticeship and Industrial Training Authority (NAITA), the National Vocational Training Authority (VTA) and the Sri Lanka Youth Corps and the SLBFE.

The COPE said a formal methodology for identifying training needs should be developed in line with the current job market and that an action plan for the next five years should be prepared and submitted.

It stressed the need to enter into agreements with the relevant parties and the importance of an insurance scheme that would ensure their safety and job security when sending Sri Lankan workers abroad. The COPE further stressed that the SLBFE should work together with the Foreign Ministry ensure the security and welfare of workers sent for foreign employment.

The COPE directed that a formal procedure should be followed in recruiting officers to work in Sri Lankan embassies abroad and stressed that various irregularities had taken place in the past due to noncompliance. It also directed the Ministry Secretary to obtain a suitable recruitment procedure from the Department of Management Services for the purpose.

Ministers Mahinda Amaraweera, State Ministers Ajith Nivard Cabraal, Indika Anuruddha, Members of Parliament Patali Champika Ranawaka, Nalin Bandara, Eran Wickramaratne, officials of State Ministry of Foreign Employment Promotions and Market Diversification, officials of State Ministry of Skills Development, Vocational Education, Research and Innovations, and officials of the SLBFE were also present at the meeting.

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French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ sets sail from Colombo

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/14

Priyan

The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).

The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.

During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.

News

“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital

Published

4 hours ago

2025/05/14

Priyan

Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.

Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.

A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.

News

Battle for control of CMC rages; SJB draws fire for alleged bid to appoint defeated candidates

Published

7 hours ago

2025/05/14

Sahan Weerasooriya

Flaws in law blamed for chaos

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) is in turmoil over naming of members to the Colombo Municipal (CMC) where it won 29 slots – 14 elected and 15 on the list at the recently concluded Local Government elections.

Political sources said that resistance was growing within the party over moves to accommodate defeated candidates as well as those listed at the expense of successful candidates. Among the defeated is SJB’s mayoral candidate Dr. Ruvaiz Haniffa.

Sources said that in terms of the Local Government Election Act there was no restriction in the number of defeated candidates that could be accommodated at the expense of those who were elected. As 25% of the members of a particular council has to be women, more successful members had to be dropped, sources said, pointing out that none of the female candidates were among the 14 SJBers elected at ward level.

The National People’s Party (NPP) won the CMC by securing 48 seats, including six from the list. Political sources said that in spite of both NPP and SJB declaring that they could a secure majority in the 117-member CMC. NPP polled 81,814 votes (48 seats), SJB polled 58,375 votes (29 seats), UNP polled 26,297 votes (13 seats), SLPP polled 9,341 votes (05 seats), SLMC polled 8,630 votes (04 seats) Independent Group 03 polled 5,934 votes (03 seats), Independent Group 05 polled 4,659 votes (02 seats)

United Peace Alliance polled 4,473 votes (02 seats), Sarvajana Balaya polled 3,911 votes (02 seats), Independent Group polled 3,640 votes (02 seats), People’s Alliance polled 2,754 votes (01 seat), National Freedom Front polled 2,398 votes (01 seat), United Republican Front polled 2,157 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 01 polled 1,909 votes (01 seat), Independent Group 02 polled 1,791 votes (01 seat), Democratic National Alliance polled 1,370 votes (01 seat) and National People’s Party polled 950 votes (01 seat).

Political sources said that the Local Government Election Act had caused much turmoil with many of those who had been elected by the people deprived of an opportunity to serve their respective local government body. Sources alleged that the system in place at Local Government was far worse than appointing defeated candidates to Parliament through the National List. In terms of the Parliamentary Election Act, an elected member could be replaced only by the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the election from the same district, sources said, pointing out Local Government winners at ward level were axed to accommodate both defeated as well as those on respective lists of political parties.

Sources said that once the appointment of all CMC members was finalised the number of elected people axed by political parties could be known. Sources said that perhaps political parties and election monitoring groups should inquire into the shortcomings in the Local Government Election Act.

by Shamindra Ferdinando