Common amnesty:

Over 3,500 Lankans to return

Hemanthi GURUGE

Around 3,500 Sri Lankns staying illegally in Kuwait have contacted the Sri Lankan Embassy in Kuwait so far, hoping to return home during the common amnesty period granted by the Kuwait Government.

Sri Lankan Bureau of Foreign Employment(SLBFE) Chairman Kingsley Ranawaka told the Daily News that Sri Lanknan illegal migrant workers in Kuwait will benefit from the recent announcement made by the Kuwaiti Government offering an amnesty to the illegal migrant workers.

This will give an opportunity for Sri Lankan migrant workers who are staying illegally in Kuwait to return home without being penalized, he said.

Those returning also have the opportunity to go back to Kuwait legally.

He also said that the amnesty period declared by the Kuwait Government will be valid till June 30.

Steps have been taken by the SLBFE and Foreign Ministry to provide relevant documents and other facilities for Sri Lankn migrant workers who are illegally staying in Kuwait to return home during the common amnesty period.

There are a lot of illegal migrant workers from Sri Lanka engaged in several jobs including housemaids. A large number of them have overstayed in violation of visa regulations.

Some of them had been living illegally in kuwait for over 10 years.