Stranded Lankans arrive from Saudi

Suraj Bandara and Kumarasiri Prasad

Around 42 Sri Lankans who were stranded in Saudi Arabia returned to Sri Lanka empty-handed at the expense of the Saudi Arabian government. They had been in Saudi Arabia without payment and food for months.

"We were not provided employment as promised by the job agency and we ran away from our houses to find a suitable place," Shaheed Mohammed, a resident of Kandy who was among returnees, told the media at Bandaranaike International Airport.

"However, we were taken into custody by the Saudi Arabian police for the charge of escaping from the working place," he added.