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Visa violators won’t be helped: FEB

24 November 2013 07:09 am - 11     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Foreign Employment Bureau said today it was not responsible for the large number of Sri Lankans who are currently in custody in Malaysia on charges of having flouted their visa conditions.

Many Sri Lankans are reported to have obtained tourist visas and travelled to Malaysia in search of employment.

FEB Deputy General Manager Mangala Randeniya said the Bureau would not assist such people to secure their release.

"They are flouting the law and we have received reports of several such cases. We will not give any assistance to anyone who willfully flouts the law of another country and in such cases we are in no way prepared to take responsibility," he said.

Mr.Randeniya said about 30 such cases is reported to the Sri Lankan Embassy in Malaysia on a daily basis.

"The people who are arrested do not name the agencies which send them there from Sri Lanka so we are unable to warn potential travellers of the serious consequences they face if found violating visa conditions in Malaysia," he said.

However, this stance is quite opposite to the stance taken by the government in the case of housemaids currently in custody or in employment in the Middle East.

A large number of unscrupulous job agencies are known to operate in Sri Lanka.(Darshana Sanjeewa)

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  Comments - 11

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  • Mohamed Sunday, 24 November 2013 07:36 AM

    Omg...then why are we having an embassy/consular office there if you are not going to help? are these only namely embassies? don't your embassies help the expats in middle east countries (Saudi, Qatar & Dubai ) to overcome similar type issues. We know that embassies in middle east countries are helping the Srilankan even though they violated rules of visa etc...what this new ?

    Gobba Sunday, 24 November 2013 07:53 AM

    Ok so these poor people have no stable income and now no government support as well...! Sad situation. Just position ourselves in that situation and see how traumatizing it is.. :(

    moda ya Sunday, 24 November 2013 09:06 AM

    SLBFE is useless .. they only want your money .... they will never do anything for u ...

    Cobra Sunday, 24 November 2013 01:21 PM

    But they will go all out to prevent a drug peddler from being beheaded. What made them go there in the first place? Aiyo!!!

    Simple mind Sunday, 24 November 2013 04:59 PM

    In fine print the statement also had this" but their money is welcome"

    lairef Sunday, 24 November 2013 08:03 PM

    what rubbish comment. its your citizen whether they commit a crime or not consulate should help their citizen held overseas.

    LKNR Monday, 25 November 2013 02:28 AM

    It's not a new news, who they helped?
    i never had a news they helped someone.
    only money for everything from everyone

    Manaf Monday, 25 November 2013 03:16 AM

    What else can we expect from you when you don't help expatriates who followed all legal requirements? SLBFE is an utterly useless organization. As someone else also said their main target is to collect money in the name of registration and nothing happens after that. I even wrote to the top management when in needed help and they did not even have the courtesy to confirm the receipt of my communication.

    John Cyril Monday, 25 November 2013 03:24 AM

    Did this people ask the government before they live sir lanka this people do things for them self why is the government have to bring them back.

    Haka Haka Monday, 25 November 2013 04:06 AM

    Why are these Sri Lankans running away from this so called wonder of Asia? Poverty is being covered up by lies of development.

    sandman Tuesday, 26 November 2013 06:09 AM

    The Bureau charges money from all these people. So it is responsible for them until they are returned back to the country. How did they accept the Bureau charges from them without checking the validity of the papers ? The Bureau ONLY needs the money they do not care about anything else. SO many expatriates working abroad have lost their jobs and forced to return back to Sri Lanka, has the Bureau done anything for them? This Bureau has to be revamped and their goals changed for the benefit of all the Expatriates leaving the country for employment and from whom money has been charged by the Bureau.


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