New SL embassy in Bahrain

5 April 2011 02:25 am

A new Sri Lankan Embassy with a labour welfare office is set to open this month in Bahrain, according to a top envoy.

It will be located opposite Japanese Embassy in Zinj, said Sri Lankan honorary consul-general P B Higgoda.

The Sri Lanka Club in Manama has long been used as a venue for consular services and officials from the closest Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait regularly visiting to hold open days.

However, Migrant Workers Protection Society officials have long campaigned for a diplomatic mission to be set up in Bahrain, saying there were not enough people to cope with the number of cases.

More than 14,000 Sri Lankans are estimated to live in Bahrain, 3,000 of which are domestic workers. "We are starting our operations in Bahrain this month and Sri Lankans are being urged to contact us for further details," said Mr Higgoda. "We wanted to open our embassy in Bahrain as many Sri Lankan residents are facing problem in finishing legal work.

"The Sri Lankan Foreign Employment Bureau will be sending staff to work here. "I will be doing counselling job and the rest will be handled by them.
"We mostly receive cases from low-income workers, who need regular assistance and care over labour issues.

A monthly mobile embassy service was regularly provided to Sri Lankans at the Sri Lanka Club. Officials from Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait also visit to clear counsellor and labour issues.

Counselling services are still being offered at the Sri Lanka Club on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Mr Higgoda can also be reached on 39460644 in case of emergencies.  (Gulf News)