The Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), Koshala Wickramasinghe, has highlighted significant concerns over illegal activities tied to the E-8 visa system, originally linked to a fraudulent agreement signed by a former government minister.
Wickramasinghe clarified that the E-8 visa category, which was intended for seasonal jobs in South Korea, had never been legally sanctioned by the SLBFE, nor had private employment agencies been authorized to process these visas. He emphasized that despite a draft proposal for cabinet approval in May, the system had been exploited by private groups who collected large sums of money from job seekers. These groups allegedly trained workers and facilitated employment under false promises, leading to a situation that bordered on human trafficking.
The Chairman also exposed past corruption, such as air ticket scams, where inflated prices led to significant financial losses. After his appointment, the cost of air tickets was substantially reduced, and an internal audit was launched to address these irregularities. He stated that those involved in previous scams are now attempting to undermine ongoing investigations into visa fraud and corruption.
Wickramasinghe stressed that the SLBFE cannot legitimize illegal visas and is working closely with authorities, including the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), to take legal action against those responsible. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has also refused to recognize the fraudulent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) linked to the E-8 visa.
Furthermore, the Chairman warned that these illegal practices could jeopardize Sri Lanka’s well-established E-9 visa program, which currently provides employment for around 30,000 Sri Lankans in South Korea. He urged victims of the E-8 visa scam to come forward with information, assisting the authorities in bringing those responsible to justice.
In conclusion, Wickramasinghe made it clear that the SLBFE is committed to safeguarding the interests of Sri Lankan workers and ensuring that employment abroad is conducted legally and ethically.
