Strict legal action against anyone linked to human trafficking - PM

Colombo (News 1st): The law will be strictly enforced against anyone who has trafficked Sri Lankan women to countries such as Oman, Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena told Parliament on Saturday (Nov. 19).

"With the special attention of the President, a team was sent to take necessary legal action pertaining to such complaints from countries such as Oman, for one-and-a-half-months. This is a crisis that impacts the entire nation," the Prime Minister informed the House. 

According to Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena, the team in connection with trafficking has been arrested as a result of this preliminary action

"The Government immediately intervened to take necessary action and arrest those who are behind human trafficking regardless of their background," he added. 

Whilst pointing out that close to 1 million people have left for foreign employment, upon registering with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, the Prime Minister emphasized that based on surveys conducted so far, around 1.6 million people have left for foreign employment in Gulf states without following the proper registration channels. 

"But they too are sending money to their families and remitting dollars to the country. Ministers of Labour and Foreign Employment have time and time again attempted to streamline this process. Firstly, there is a need to amend the Foreign Employment Act and secondly, Sri Lankan missions overseas must be more proactive," Prime Minister Dinesh Gunawardena reiterated.