Corruption in Israel Jobs Programme Under Manusha?

COLOMBO (News 1st); Questions surrounding Sri Lanka's Israel employment programme were raised in Parliament after Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra made a series of allegations regarding the manner in which recruitment was carried out during the tenure of former Minister Manusha Nanayakkara.

The discussion arose after New Democratic Front MP Chamara Sampath Dassanayake highlighted concerns affecting Sri Lankan workers currently employed in Israel. The MP noted that around 30,000 Sri Lankans are working in the country and that Israel remains a significant source of foreign exchange earnings, with many workers reportedly receiving monthly salaries between Rs. 700,000 and Rs. 800,000.

However, Dassanayake pointed to a growing issue involving Sri Lankan workers who initially travelled to Israel for agricultural and construction sector jobs but later moved into other forms of employment. According to him, nearly 7,000 workers could face difficulties as a result, with concerns that they may eventually be repatriated. He said India had intervened in a similar situation and urged Sri Lankan authorities to step in following requests made by affected workers.

Responding to the concerns, Deputy Minister Hemachandra alleged that during the previous administration an official letter had been issued to the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment relating to the recruitment process for Israel-bound workers.

According to the Deputy Minister, the Bureau had been following a structured procedure involving the collection of applications, interviews and referrals to the relevant recruitment agency. However, he alleged that despite those mechanisms being in place, an official letter had been issued directing that a separate list of names be forwarded for recruitment.

Hemachandra told Parliament that he intends to table the letter and claimed that the matter is already being investigated by the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption.

He further stated that the letter allegedly instructed officials to submit a specific list of candidates and described it as an official document that had been formally recorded. Maintaining that the present administration would not tolerate such practices, the Deputy Minister said the Government is committed to conducting all foreign employment programmes in a transparent manner.

The Deputy Minister also addressed the issue of Sri Lankan workers who later sought refugee status or alternative legal protection in Israel. According to him, many of those recruited for agricultural jobs had not been properly informed about the nature of their employment before departure and subsequently found it difficult to continue in those positions after arriving in Israel.

As a result, some workers moved into other jobs, creating complications with their immigration and employment status. Hemachandra said Israeli authorities had provided a limited amnesty period to address the issue, but alleged that the then administration failed to take the necessary steps despite opportunities to intervene.

He recalled that members of the current Government had raised similar concerns while in the Opposition and had questioned why action was not taken when the opportunity existed.

The Deputy Minister further alleged that plans had been underway to send an additional 6,000 Sri Lankan workers to Israel and claimed that financial irregularities and corrupt practices had taken place in connection with that recruitment process.

According to Hemachandra, the failure to secure relief measures for affected workers was linked to efforts to continue sending additional groups of recruits abroad. He alleged that despite an opportunity being made available by Israeli authorities, the relevant intervention was not pursued by the former administration.

He stated that the current Government is now engaged in discussions aimed at helping affected Sri Lankan workers regularise their employment status in Israel or benefit from alternative arrangements through official channels.