There was chaos and confusion among some 10,000 Korean job seekers for Korean exam applications at Police Park in Havelock Road today after a large number of job seekers were refused applications owing to the stampede at Police Park.

The large crowds gathered at Police Park brought traffic along Havelock Road to a grinding halt.

Some job seekers speaking to the Daily Mirror said that they had been in the front section of the queue when those at the rear end had shoved their way to the front of the line. They said the applications were given for about three hours and ended mid afternoon today although applications were to be given until 4pm.

“I’ve been here since last night without anything to eat and slept on the pavement hoping to get an application today. It’s been a few hours since the application process began but we have already been told that they won’t be giving anymore applications today,” Sanjeewa Silva, a resident from Tissamaharama said.

The Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) which had called for the Korean job applications said that 3500 applications were accepted. However it appeared that less than 1000 were selected at the police grounds yesterday.  

“We could have got our applications today but could not because we were pushed and trampled by an enormous crowd. If the authorities had organised the applications process in a more organised manner we would not have to suffer like this,” said Mahinda Kannangara a resident from Matara who had come to Colombo, and had been in the queue since 10am on Sunday.

The SLBFE said that exam applications were given at 23 centres in the country however there were large number of hopefuls from other parts of the island including Jaffna, Galle, Embilipitya and Negombo. Police at the scene told the Daily Mirror that a person had fainted due to claustrophobia and the lack of food and had been rushed to hospital.

Job seekers who wish to sit for the exam are required to sit for a mandatory Korean language exam and a week’s STF  training in order to qualify for the application process. “I have spent more than Rs.50,000 on lessons and if I do not get an application it would be a waste of my money,” Mohammad Salmi said.

Reports said that the situation was tense at the Galle and Matara branches of the SLBFE and other parts of the country as well. SLBFE Deputy General Manager, Mangala Randeniya said that SLBFE had received 45,000 job applications from Korea but said it was not enough and will be requesting for another 15,000 applications from Korea due to the high demand. (By Olindhi Jayasundere)

(Pix by Pradeep Pathirana)