Sri Lankan women sold for sex in Oman - CID probing human smuggling ring

by Staff Writer 09-11-2022 | 7:55 PM

COLOMBO (News 1st) - Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department is investigating a human trafficking ring where Sri Lankan women who travel to Oman to work as domestic aides are auctioned and sold to work as escorts.

Police Spokesperson & Attorney SSP Nihal Thalduwa told News 1said that a team of detectives led by two ASPs visited Oman to conduct the investigation.

Multiple foreign employment agencies are sending young girls and women to Oman promising them employment as domestic aides, and most of them had used tourist visas to enter the middle-eastern country.

Detectives uncovered that when the group reaches Oman, they are lined up according to their age and appearance and auctions and sold to engage in sexual activity.

"I was sexually abused inside a room. I am not afraid to reveal this to the CID and the Foreign Employment Bureau. I went to every single place possible in search of justice. I told the person that I was groped while cleaning, and she told me that it's normal, and that I need to be prepared for all these things. She also offered me money to be with her. When I told the embassy about it and requested to return to the country, they refused to accept me because I was on a visit visa. I am only 21 years old, and this is my first time here. I came here because I am helpless," said one Sri Lankan woman who was sexually abused in oman.

Nissanka Priyadarshana is the man who exposed the trafficking ring and he told News 1st that some agencies in Sri Lanka send many young girls to Oman, and in Oman, the agencies line up the girls and sell them for money.

He urged that people not go to fake agencies and fall into trouble.

SSP Nihal Thalduwa, the country's Police Spokesperson said that agencies are preparing the passports and tourist visas to send the women abroad and the investigations revealed that there are brokers in Sri Lanka and Oman.

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment said that necessary action will be taken after the CID investigation report is made available.

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman told News 1st that among the 90 plus women houses at a safe-house operated by the Embassy in Oman, some were victims of this smuggling operation.

The Embassy said that it completely supported the investigations carried out by the CID.