JO lodges complaint against Thalatha

7 December 2016 02:23 pm - 10 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The joint opposition today lodged a complaint against Foreign Employment Minister Thalatha Atukorale at the Bribery Commission over a case of financial misappropriation causing the State loss of Rs. 1,500 million.

Addressing a media briefing, the joint opposition MP Niroshan Premaratne said Minister Atukorale had caused the State a loss of Rs. 1500 million by the mandatory insurance scheme of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) for all Sri Lankan migrant workers since August 2015.

“The SLBFE has announced all Sri Lankan migrant workers to get the insurance from the Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Company in Kuwait by paying USD 100 each. The Supreme Court has ordered the SLBFE to refrain from choosing a selected company to provide the insurance,” he added.

He said the SLBFE had ignored the Supreme Court’s order and had arrived to an agreement with the Gulf Insurance and Reinsurance Company despite two other companies were given quotations for USD 60 each to provide the same insurance with more facilities.

He said the Minister Atukorale was involved in this financial misappropriation by gaining excess of people’s money worth USD 40 (Rs. 6,000) from each Sri Lankan migrant worker.

“There are nearly 263,307 of Sri Lankan migrant workers who have obtained the insurance during the period from August 2015 to December 2016. Therefore the total of Rs. 1,417, 842, 000 (nearly Rs. 1,500 million) of excess amount has been taken by the SLBFE from these innocent people,” he added.

He said this insurance scheme has been cancelled by Minister Atukorale on December 1 with the enquiry made by him in Parliament about this financial misappropriation on November 30.

“Minister Atukorale has tried to prove her innocence by denying my allegations. But her guilt was proved with the immediate cancellation of the insurance scheme. We have lodged a complaint against the SLBFE Chairman along with Minister Atukorale” he added.

Meanwhile, the joint opposition today onwards launched a website named www.yahapalanatop10.com to make people aware of the financial misappropriations which took place during the ‘Yahapalana’ regime. The people were also enabled to make their complaints against them through info@yahapalana.com. (Kalathma Jayawardhane)

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Comments - 10

ANTON Wednesday, 07 December 2016 02:48 PM

I SUGGEST SETTING UP THESE BC AND FCID INSIDE THE PARLIAMENT.

Muhammad Wednesday, 07 December 2016 02:50 PM

People in the Airport gave us very much hardship during departure at BIA forcing us pay money for the insurance whereas most of us not required a another insurance as we are well covered under our company insurance scheme

yaha Wednesday, 07 December 2016 03:11 PM

No way, you need to pay yahapalana insurance if not how they can tour around the world and afford super luxuries?

XYZ Wednesday, 07 December 2016 03:17 PM

This insurance scheme is the biggest scam I have ever seen. It is useless for white collar workers in the Middle East, who are usually well covered by company insurance. I have been harassed by SLBFE officers as if I have robbed something and was trying to flee the country.Now I have noticed that even the option of paying at Airport is not available.I have decided that I will not send any of my USD to Sri Lanka anymore; at least the Government should make it a point not to harass people who are bringing foreign currency to the country.

Nature Wednesday, 07 December 2016 03:27 PM

No any benefit we get from SLBFE, although we're earning foreign currencies to SL. Even no reply to our email for any clarifications.... useless

Pradeep Wednesday, 07 December 2016 03:29 PM

Need to shut down the SLBFE with immediate effect , for causing hardship for the migrant workers.

mohan Wednesday, 07 December 2016 03:31 PM

And a branch of the welikada prison with A/c rooms please.

Edee Wednesday, 07 December 2016 04:34 PM

It covers only death, permanent and partial disability due to accident. If she really cares the welfare of migrant workers who provide highest revenue to the country, she should have selected a government owned insurance company to cover the risk and then GOSL to enjoy profits..Any valid reason for selecting Union Insurance in Dubai?

Ruwan Wednesday, 07 December 2016 04:42 PM

Yes I believe these guys should stop this nonsence at the airport. I have seen become victim of SLFEB at airport. They thteaten and give unnecessary heart attacks at the airport. Usually we come the last minute say good bye to loved ones. These idiots start asking questions fill forms wait getting crazy with this...... via DM Android App

Sam Wednesday, 07 December 2016 05:06 PM

Honestly all MP's should just be removed, they do nothing for the country other than waste its money on cars and crap projects they can steal from. Then waste its time by trying to drop each other in trouble and get them imprisoned. Grow up all of you, I could select a better parliament from my son's Grade 1 class.

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JO lodges complaint against Thalatha

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