Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra said enforcement measures taken by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) in 2025 have produced tangible benefits for migrant workers and their families.
Speaking after a review meeting with the SLBFE Enforcement Division, the deputy minister said the bureau received 4,822 public complaints between January and December 2025. Of these, 2,914 complaints were resolved through inquiries and settlements, while 772 cases were filed in courts.
Investigations carried out during the year resulted in 121 arrests, including several high-profile cases, and 21 raids targeting illegal recruitment activities and related offences. More than Rs. 380 million was recovered on behalf of affected migrant workers.
He said 15 recruitment licences were cancelled following due legal process where serious and repeated violations were proven, in order to prevent further exploitation of workers.
The deputy minister also highlighted the establishment of a dedicated Police Unit within the SLBFE on September 22, 2025, aimed at strengthening investigative capacity, coordination, and enforcement.
He urged the public to remain vigilant by avoiding unregistered agents, being cautious of illegal consultancies, and verifying information with the SLBFE before making decisions related to foreign employment.
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