President directs envoys to serve expat workers better

Rohan Mathes

KUWAIT: President Mahinda Rajapaksa has directed all the Sri Lankan Envoys serving in the Gulf Region, to serve the 1.5 million odd Sri Lankan expatriate workers with commitment and dedication.

President Rajapaksa who met the Envoys of Oman, Qatar, Abudhabi, Kuwait, Jordan and Lebanon at a special meeting on his visit to Kuwait last Monday, reiterated that these Sri Lankan workers were contributing immensely to the well-being of the country’s economy, by earning the much needed foreign exchange and therefore, they should be looked after and cared for by the Envoys.

“You should be of assistance and service in all their deliberations with the utmost commitment and dedication. The onus of implementing a more systematic and active approach to solve their difficulties lies with you. The required laws and regulations for same will be formulated and forwarded at government level soon”, he said.

The President said around 24 billion is earned per annum from Sri Lankans working overseas. However, when they are domiciled abroad, they encounter varied problems and obstacles.

Solving these problems and freeing them from the bondages until they reach home safely, is the sole responsibilty of the Ambassadors, who ought to serve with utmost commitment. Ministers Rohitha Bogollagamma, G. L. Peiris and Keheliya Rambukwella among others had participated at this meeting.