Sri Lankan women auctioned in Oman; CID probing sex trafficking ring

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lankan women are being taken to Abu Dhabi in the UAE using Visit Visa, and are being taken away to Oman against their will where they are being auctioned to the highest bidder.

According to reports obtained by News 1st, a group of 12 women have been taken to Oman by force.

The group of women were taken away to Oman on Tuesday (16), and since then their mobile phones are switched off.

Shashikala is one of them, and her husband stepped forward to speak to News 1st on the issue.

"They are kept in an office and were told that jobs will be given on Monday. I don't have many details. My wife went overseas because I failed the medical exam to travel. She was taken using a Visit Visa. She wants to come back. But those who took her want Rs. 400,000/- to cover their expenses to send her back," he told News 1st.

These women were taken to Abu Dhabi on Visit Visa where their passports and mobile phones were taken away by the Employment Agency broker. They were then detained in a house by the brokers.

The Labour Division of the Sri Lankan Embassy in Abu Dhabi had visited this house on the 13th of November based on a complaint that it received.

Embassy officials had obtained signatures from the women to a letter that stated they are not in trouble and consented to work there.

However, there is a notable difference between Shashikala's signature on her passport and this letter.

The group was taken away to Oman two days after this letter was obtained.

SSP Samarakoon Banda is the Director of the Human Trafficking, Human Smuggling Division of the CID and he told News 1st that an investigation is underway, and CID is working with INTERPOL to take action.

The Criminal Investigation Department said this racket has been ongoing for a prolonged period.

"When the women are taken to Oman they are handed over to another group and are sold to Arabs. Young women who are pretty are taken away first. They are sold for between 1 Million and 2.5 Million in Oman currency. The younger the person, the higher the price. The women are auctioned. This racket is supported by some officials who direct these women to a specific counter at the airport," said the Senior Police Officer.

According to the Criminal Investigations Department, the women who fell victim to this racket and sought refuge at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman were moved to a safe house, where they were sexually abused once again.

SSP Samarakoon Banda said that an official had sexually abused a woman in Oman and a complaint was filed stating that he had requested her to come to his house.

"She had managed to escape. Legal action was taken and an investigation is underway. This official is still serving in the foreign mission," he said.

The Sri Lankan Ministers for Public Security, Foreign Employment, the Police Chief and other parties held discussions on Wednesday (16) over the issues faced by Sri Lankan women in Oman.