It is also our responsibility to transform our human resource into an internationally demanded and value added human resource.
The commemorative ceremony organized to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau was held on 15 November 2025 at Temple Trees, under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.
The event was organized by the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, and held under the theme “Beyond Borders – Empowering Sri Lankans.”
Coinciding with this occasion, several initiatives and benefits such as the launch of a mobile application dedicated to providing convenient services to the migrant community and Launch of the digitalization programme of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment, increasing the death compensation paid to a migrant worker’s family from Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 100,000, commencement of services at the newly modernized 24/7 Call Centre of the SLBFE, recognition of migrant workers who have successfully engaged in entrepreneurship, recognition of long-standing licensed foreign employment agencies, increasing the insurance benefits paid in the event of a migrant worker’s death from Rs. 600,000 to Rs. 2,000,000, and increasing the housing loan amount available for migrant workers up to Rs. 10 million, providing welfare benefits to migrant families through the President’s Fund were initiated to enhance the welfare of the migrant community.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister appreciated and recognized not only the financial contribution that the migrant community makes to the economy, but also their contribution to technological exchange and the new entrepreneurial opportunities created through their labor.
Further expressing her views, Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya stated:
With a history of 40 years, we have now reached one of the most progressive and successful periods in this sector. When we speak of foreign employment today, the old, unpleasant image no longer remains. Instead, it has evolved into a progressive, fair, stable sector that significantly contributes to our national economy.
The Prime Minister further emphasized the importance and responsibility of creating trained, safe, and ethical migrant workers, noting that it is a responsibility of the government to transform our human resource into an internationally demanded and highly valued one.
The Prime Minister also commended the assistance provided by embassies for Sri Lankans living abroad and stated that the wellbeing, safety, and protection of Sri Lankan migrant communities, and the Prime Minister further emphasized the continuous support of embassies to ensure the access to job opportunities and services abroad for migrant community.
Addressing the event, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, explained the responsibilities of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, including proper facilitation for workers migrating abroad, guaranteeing their safety and wages, regulating necessary mechanisms in situations of health emergencies, and ensuring the protection of their employment and lives.
He added that through the digitalization of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau, Sri Lankans will receive a more transparent, fair, and accessible service.
Our goal and commitment are to ensure that 100% of our migrant workers are properly trained and send Sri Lankans for high-level professional and skilled employment.
We can proudly say that 2025 is the year Sri Lanka earned the highest amount of foreign exchange in history. We celebrate this 40th anniversary with pride having sent more workers abroad and earned greater foreign income. However, our national vision is to build a strong production-based economy that expands local employment opportunities and creates a country where everyone wishes to live. It is with this objective in mind that the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau functions.
Deputy Minister Arun Hemachandra, while addressing the event, highlighted the commitment of the Foreign Employment Bureau towards the welfare of the migrant community and clarified the government’s ongoing process regarding granting voting rights for migrant workers.
The event was attended by Deputy Minister of Digital Economy Eranga Weeraratne, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau Kosal Wickramasinghe, ambassadors, the Governor of the Western Province, representatives from migrant workers and their families, and representatives from foreign employment agencies.
Prime Minister’s Media Division