Minister initiates steps for welfare of Lankans in Cyprus

Maithripala Sirisena, the Minister of Agriculture Development and Agrarian Services during his recent visit to Cyprus took several steps for the benefit of the Sri lankan community there.

Minister Sirisena visited detention centres where some Lankans were being held. He along with the High Commissioner Hemantha Warnakulasuriya visited the detention centre and interviewed three inmates Three inmates are to be released due to the intervention of the Minister. He also found the Prison Officials sometimes unreasonably refused to permit visitors food brought by them.

This was immediately solved by the High Commissioner Hemantha Warnakulasuriya and the officials were informed that inmates must be provided with foods and also visits under the present regulations of the Cyprus.

He also found the welfare associations has been run by job agents who had conflicting interests and thereafter under the direction of Ambassador Warnakulasuriya, Sri Lanka Welfare Association was formed under the patronage of High Commissioner and the Consul General.

One expatriate wrote to the Minister stating that this was the first time a Minister met and spoke to the Sri Lankan house maids and solved many problems on the spot. He listened to the travails of Housemaids and others who remit valuable foreign exchange to Sri Lanka.

The inspiration was such that many members of the UNP decided to join the SLFP branch in Cyprus devoid of politics as a honour to the Minister who had brought hope for the Sri Lankans in Cyprus.