Audio:SL detainees at Dammam camp dis-illusioned

14 December 2012 03:59 am - 7 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

A group of 52 Sri Lankan workers who have spent the last two months in a detention camp in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, complained that the Sri Lankan authorities in Saudi Arabia had shown no interest about their well-being.

Speaking to Daily Mirror over the phone from the detention camp, one of the workers said that the Sri Lankan authorities in Saudi Arabia had not taken any action to secure their release and alleged that the authorities had requested for bribes and other such inducements when they were asked to intervene. “We have filed complaints with the relevant authorities and have even ensured that our relatives filed complaints on our behalf in Sri Lanka. However they have ignored us completely,” he said.

When Daily Mirror questioned the Deputy General Manager- Foreign Relations- of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLBFE) D. B Senanayake about these allegations he replied that the authorities were just following the legal process of Saudi Arabia. “These welfare camps house people from many countries who are kept there pending deportation. They are usually kept in these centers until various issues relating to them are sorted out,” he said.

Mr. Senanayake said that embassy officials visit the inmates thrice a month as per the regulations. “The embassy has limited access to these camps but our officials visit them thrice a month as per the regulations of the country. It’s an ongoing process and we are doing our utmost to secure their release:” he said.(Hafeel Farisz)

See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Flowers, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,News, Courier/Delivery, Food Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka.

Comments - 7

Nodrog Friday, 14 December 2012 06:48 AM

The detainees and the embassy officials deserve each other.

chandana nawagattega Friday, 14 December 2012 02:24 PM

Can Mr Senanayake tell us how many visits were made by our Embassy officials so far.

pol gahnawa Friday, 14 December 2012 06:03 PM

Lanka way okoma Pol gahanawa

Anura Saturday, 15 December 2012 12:00 AM

Where is One shot...?? Oh he gets involved only if there are ladies... via DM Android App

mohamed asfar Friday, 14 December 2012 04:53 AM

runaways who must face legal proceedings before deportation.

Sirisena Friday, 14 December 2012 05:33 AM

These are mostly wrong doers, like making alcohol, having illegal affairs with house maids, Stealing, etc.
SL Embassy cannot be held responsible for individual wrong doing. They should face the punishments. These are the people tarnish rest of the half a million workers reputation.

Paul Albert Friday, 14 December 2012 06:08 AM

When i was in Dammam , My employer & i initiated a disciplinary action against an employeewhere we forwarded all relevant documents to the embassy in KSA to help us and solve the issue, we never got any response from the embassy

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Audio:SL detainees at Dammam camp dis-illusioned

Comments - 7

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

How and why the TNA was formed twenty years ago

India lays emphasis on culture diplomacy with Sri Lanka

Bittersweet memories of a ‘City that never slept’

Revisiting the Attack on Thirukumar Nadesan in India

Spotlight on Attorney General’s Department and Public Service Commission

How a 19-year-old TikToker is helping bring back the Woolly Mammoth!

Unmasking Sri Lanka’s Pyramid Parasites

Most Viewed in News

Dr. Prasanna Gunasena quits as SPC Chairman?

Health guidelines to be followed from Oct. 16 -31 issued

Those who used it to capture power won’t stay long: Cardinal

Govt. approves cattle slaughter ban

President said some recommendations cannot be implemented - Cardinal

Mahela to leave SL team after today’s game

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Reopening of schools Teachers’ attendance best in north

Why was the law not implemented against Indian fishermen in the past - Fisheries Minister

SL booster dose rollout begins from Chinese Nationals

Mahindananda reiterates imported potassium fertiliser not chemical

MIRROR CRICKET

England take early T20I series lead over Sri Lanka

New Zealand clinch World Test title

LPL 2nd edition from July 30-August 22-SLC

Sanath Jayasuriya signs as coach at Melbourne cricket club Mulgrave

England crush Windies at T20 World Cup, Aussies edge South Africa

Team Preview: Can Pakistan live up to their promise?

Team Preview: Can spin heavy India live up to their promise?

Team Preview: Can Shanaka’s men rise to the occasion in the Super 12?