Sri Lankan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia faces brutal abuse

6 February 2024 06:11 am - 28 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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By Hiran Priyankara

In a distressing incident, Kumudini Sandya Kumari Seneviratne, a Sri Lankan housemaid who sought employment in Saudi Arabia, is currently battling severe abuse and torture at the hands of her employer. The harrowing tale unfolds in the Mundalama area, shedding light on the unfortunate plight of migrant workers pursuing better opportunities abroad.

Seneviratne, a resident of Kajuwatta in Mundalama, secured employment in Saudi Arabia through a private foreign employment agency in Kurunegala on May 23, 2023. She followed the proper procedures by registering with the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau before departing the country.

However, her ordeal began when she faced harassment in her initial place of employment, leading her to seek refuge and file a complaint with the Sri Lankan Embassy in the country. Despite the embassy's intervention and a subsequent change of employer through the foreign employment agency, Seneviratne continued to face mistreatment, prompting her to seek yet another placement.

Her husband, Warnakulasuriya Neranjan Fernando, narrated the horrific experiences his wife endured, stating that the employment agency referred her for the third time to the brother's house of her previous employer. There, she fell victim to severe physical assault and was subjected to acidic liquid, resulting in serious burn injuries. Seneviratne also suffered a lower limb fracture, necessitating hospitalization.

Fernando pleaded for swift action from the Foreign Employment Bureau and other relevant authorities to facilitate Seneviratne's return to Sri Lanka. He expressed concern over her current condition, indicating that she is under the care of the Sri Lankan Embassy but is crippled. Unfortunately, he remains unable to establish direct contact with her.

In response to the distressing situation, steps are being taken to ensure Seneviratne's safety and well-being. The Sri Lankan Embassy is actively involved, providing medical assistance and coordinating efforts to address the legal aspects of the abuse she endured. The Foreign Employment Bureau has been alerted to the incident, emphasizing the need for enhanced protection for Sri Lankan workers abroad.

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Comments - 28

Avery Markham Tuesday, 06 February 2024 07:37 AM

An alternative has to be found to the export of thousands of poor women for domestic slavery.

Kishu Gomes Tuesday, 06 February 2024 07:39 AM

SL number one net export is poor women for domestic slavery. Shame on all politicians and professionals.

Adwani Tuesday, 06 February 2024 07:47 AM

This one incident must not be the only source applicable to all workers. I myself have witnessed many housemaids drinking and dancing with drivers. Exaggerating tales should be avoided, many countries workers are still working and sending millions back home.

Gabriella Tuesday, 06 February 2024 07:56 AM

Understand the religion ! Understand the culture ! These members of the religion of “pieces” are absolute barbarians when they are the majority. When a servant enters a Muslim house they are viewed as “possessions”.

raman Wednesday, 07 February 2024 01:37 AM

This is a perfect analysis, we need to understand the religion.

Dr Nimal Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:02 AM

These Sri Lankan maids are not angels either, one of them stole my ring while I was fast asleep on the flight from Colombo to London via Dubai. She was sitting next to me and after she exited the plane in Dubai, I realised my ring from my finger was missing. So, I have no sympathy for them. These maids all coming from abject poverty in Sri Lanka have a tendency to steal and in Arab countries if you steal the response is very brutal .

Manjula Perera Tuesday, 06 February 2024 03:31 PM

Hey Dr Nimal, Are you an archangel? What were you doing while she took your ring? Enjoying the twiddling? We know you Drs LOL

Nihal Wednesday, 07 February 2024 02:38 AM

Dr Nimal, You guys are the Biggest Thiefs of this nation, Get all the Free education, medical college etc, sent for overseas training at tax payers expense, Then you bolt the country for greener pastures. WOnder who is the Real Thief.

Ama Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:04 AM

Foreign Minister, this is over to you. There were several such incidents reported from Saudi Arabia.

Johan Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:13 AM

Much as possible stop sending new people as housemaids to Middle Eastern countries.Let old people continue if they want.Arabs are spending big sum to recruit housemaids and if they are not happy about their work they are punished by men,women and children inhumanly.Better a new govt open new ventures for SL women without sending them as housemaids.If we go through the history we can see how many dead bodies reaching SL every year due to this inhuman act.

Mohan Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:16 AM

Has the reporter made any effort to verify the facts with for example the Embassy who are actively involved. This seems like a one sided version of events.

Mohan Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:20 AM

Should find alternatives to sending our women as house maids to the Middle East countries, especially Saudi Arabia. It doesn't pay them much and they are frequently subjected to abuse.

Beatrice Cader Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:32 AM

Shame on our corrupt leaders and the ruthless selfish slave traders in our Motherland! They make money at the expense of our innocent, naive, helpless, poor young female

shanakab Tuesday, 06 February 2024 08:44 AM

do we have an embassy in srilanka for saudi? why cant they be responsible for their cruel animalistic uneducated oil bathed citizens???

Smh Tuesday, 06 February 2024 09:18 AM

How ridiculous of the SL embassy in Saudi to send this victim of violence to other houses and especially to the house of the abuser's brother without any regard for her safety and well being. Embassy staff must be held responsible for criminal negligence for their part in this. Sri Lanka will continue exploit desperate and vulnerable citizens by sending them to Saudi and other middle eastern countries with a consistent track record of abusing employees. Stop this madness. Give the women training and resources to earn at home.

Lion Tuesday, 06 February 2024 10:01 AM

This is what happens when our people do not respect the culture of others.

Waco Tuesday, 06 February 2024 10:02 AM

In Sri Lanka , Plantations are short of workers. Why the government is sending these ladies to suffer and work like slaves , is a big question.

Nimal Tuesday, 06 February 2024 10:10 AM

The embassy should be proactive and establish a network group to regularly check on the welfare of our migrant workers.

Howard Silva Tuesday, 06 February 2024 10:49 AM

When is the Sri Lankan politicians ever going to learn that sending anyone let alone maids to middle east is not safe. Unfortunately, these people in the middle east look at any foreigners no different to sheep or cattle. Sadly, if they are women their thinking is anything but in between their legs.

wickrama wijayasiri Tuesday, 06 February 2024 10:56 AM

They earn Forex for the politicians and the rich to burn!

Mahila Tuesday, 06 February 2024 11:11 AM

What Insanity, for agency to find alternate employment at the Former abuser's brother's place!?

Gt Tuesday, 06 February 2024 11:27 AM

My friend has issues in saudi after gaining employment through a kurunegala agency for Saudi, the 1st place she was employed did not provide clean drinking water company called samasco, her contract was then sold to another company named marafi, her boss sexually harasses her, don't provide sick days, underpays her, they won't let her leave unless she pays 8 lakhs, her monthly wage is about 45000 rs, half of what she was promised, the employer does not make it easy to contact them or make complaints, she was threatened not to goto police or they will make up allegations and get her into issued, the agency in kurunegala won't help saying after she switched companies its not their responsibility, even though she got the agency to arrange the job change, so where does the rest of her pay go? Foreign bureau/ agency take a huge cut from these poor people trying to feed their families back home, why are our girls sold like slaves?, don't go saudi let them clean their own messes

Volker Metzger Tuesday, 06 February 2024 11:45 AM

It must hurt every person deeply when they hear about the mistreatment and suffering of this young woman and see the picture!!! How great must be the distress of this woman and her family when she goes to a country like Saudi Arabia, a country where human rights are ignored and women, especially those from countries like Sri Lanka, always have to expect the very worst! !! If you look at the list of crimes committed by Mohammed bin Salman's ruling clique and the contempt that the majority of Saudis have for foreigners who work there as slave labor, then you ask yourself how can a country like Sri Lanka allow them to be there lets people work!!! This is all obviously part of the long-standing irresponsible labor market policy of governments in SL, which have led the country into the abyss through criminal policies and are now letting the country's poor pay the bills!!! It's high time that the people put an end to the government spook!!!

B P Tuesday, 06 February 2024 11:50 AM

Our rulers (politicians) must be ashamed of these incidents. They have their luxury lives here (and abroad), by selling our mothers (and to be) to those sadistic men and women. No politician wants to stop this.

Acid Tuesday, 06 February 2024 01:18 PM

Most Sri Lankan agencies that send women illegally are rarely diciplined by our government. The Middle eastern nations are very angry at this. Agencies that have forged documents and birth certificates only get a Rs. 500 fine and a week imprisonment, and in many cases not even that!

Zombie Hitler Tuesday, 06 February 2024 02:20 PM

Saudi authorities should bear in mind that their women will have to come to Sri Lanka as Domestic servants after 14 years when we become world's economic power.

one for the road Wednesday, 07 February 2024 10:04 AM

Saudia Arabia is one country I hate with a vengeance. I would be too happy if someone dropped a nuclear bomb and wiped it off the face of the earth.

Natile Wednesday, 07 February 2024 11:52 AM

The problem is women go and work for a very little money from third world countries Like kind of slaves its going to have issues Only few decent will take care of them others will Abuse them physically mentally Many unlawful ways. there should be a protection agency for those desperately need help before its toolate specialy in the gulf countries

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Sri Lankan migrant worker in Saudi Arabia faces brutal abuse

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