SLBFE spends Rs. 1 bn on two programmes without any plans: COPE reveals

2 June 2025 05:19 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 6 Bookmark

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Colombo, June 2 (Daily Mirror) - The Committee on Public Enterprises (COPE) revealed that the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) has spent more than Rs. 1 billion on two programmes that were not included in the annual action plan for 2024 and were implemented without any plans.

Accordingly, more than Rs. 63 million has been spent on the 'Vigamanika Harasara' programme, aimed at organising three provincial-level meetings with the participation of 5,000 members of migrant associations, initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment in 2024.

In addition, more than Rs. 1,259 million has been spent on the 'Glocal Fair' programme, held across the island with the intention of making services provided by all institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Employment available to beneficiaries at their places of residence.

These matters were disclosed at the COPE meeting held recently under the chairmanship of MP Nishantha Samaraweera, which met in Parliament.

The Chair of the Committee stated that the Glocal Fair programme had been initiated prior to receiving Cabinet approval and that the relevant Cabinet memorandum had been submitted for approval while the programme was being implemented.

He also pointed out that only Rs. 2 million is allocated annually for such programmes, raising questions as to whether spending as much as Rs. 1,259 million had actually achieved its intended objectives.

The Committee inquired into the purchase of a trade stall for Rs. 170,000 during the initial phase of the Glocal Fair programme and the subsequent acquisition of a trade stall at a cost of Rs. 500,000.

The Chairman of the Committee emphasised that significant funds allocated for productive programmes have instead been wasted on unplanned and purposeless programmes.

Comments - 6

ajith Monday, 02 June 2025 05:25 PM

So this is where our tax monies go

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Ganesh Tuesday, 03 June 2025 12:37 AM

t’s not just our tax money being misused — it’s also the funds forcibly extracted from us under the pretense of “registration fees” and “insurance” schemes, for which we are never provided proper policy details. This system, targeting us migrant workers, is nothing short of a state-sanctioned scam. As expatriates — especially those living in the Middle East — we are treated with blatant disregard. Still skeptical? Try visiting the Sri Lankan Embassy or Consulate in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. Or simply try calling them. You'll be met with indifference, red tape, and deliberate avoidance. And when we face real hardship — as many did during the pandemic — these very institutions turn their backs on us. They disown the very people they claim to protect.This so-called “Agency” has lost all legitimacy. It should be permanently disbanded. Let those who choose to work abroad do so fully aware of the risks — rather than being forced to pay into a system that exploits them while pretending to protect.

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This is just one of several to come to light Tuesday, 03 June 2025 02:38 AM

This is just one of of the fancy ways of expenditure on SELF SERVICE! Our politicians are highly innovative.

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Nihal S Monday, 02 June 2025 05:29 PM

Waste of public resources - no different to carrom board case. The responsible persons both political and state employees shall take the responsibility and be charged. Can the politicians alone make these decisions (if outside the rules), if the senior state employees such as the Ministry Secretary / Directors object to it?

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Ranga Monday, 02 June 2025 05:37 PM

INVESTIGATE

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Adwani Monday, 02 June 2025 08:45 PM

Since there is income from poor migrant workers who face untold hardships and other abuses, the SLBFE in charge are swindling money as much as possible. Inflating Bills and other false expenditure. Old crooks who are handling finances must be kicked out, before the SLBFE falls into the category of loss making enterprise. Also there are more than required workforce doing nothing but using toilets back doors to attend their personal work during working hours.

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