FM hails Lankan missions in Middle-East

Chaminda PERERA

Foreign Minister Foreign Minster Rohitha Bogollagama yesterday granted compensation to the families of victims who died while they are working in the Middle East countries at a ceremony held at the Ministry.

The families of 19 expatriate workers who died in the Middle East received cheques worth over Rs. 42 million as compensation. Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Bhaila, officials of the Foreign Employment Promotion and Welfare Ministry and Public Trusteee Sarath Seneviratne were present.

A total of Rs. 92 million has been disbursed among the families of expatriate workers who died in the Middle-East as compensation for the past six months.

Bogollagama said the compensation to these families was expedited by the Sri Lankan missions in the Middle-East. He lauded the Sri Lankan missions overseas for expediting payment of compensation to these families. The Sri Lankan missions in the middle east are providing a dedicated service to the Sri Lankan expatriate workers in the Middle-East.

The expatriate workers should adhere with the existing laws of the host country. The Sri Lankans wishing to have foreign employment should have better understanding over the legal system of the country that they going to work, the Minister said.

The Minister also said the Saudi Arabian Government has agreed to look into the grievances of the Sri Lankan expatriate workers.