Sri Lanka’s foreign employment sector is facing a major credibility challenge following revelations that thousands of international agricultural employment opportunities were lost because of alleged corruption and administrative failures under previous administrations.
The disclosure by newly appointed Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Chairman Kosala Wickramasinghe has raised serious questions about the management of foreign employment quotas, the accountability of recruitment agencies and the protection of Sri Lankan migrant workers.
According to the Chairman, Sri Lanka had been allocated 12,000 international agricultural employment opportunities, but only approximately 2,000 were successfully utilised. This meant that around 10,000 opportunities were lost, depriving thousands of Sri Lankans of potential employment and income.
The revelations have exposed the economic consequences of alleged malpractice in a sector that remains vital to the country’s foreign exchange earnings. Every employment opportunity lost overseas represents not only a missed livelihood for a prospective migrant worker but also a potential loss of remittances for the national economy.
The SLBFE has responded by initiating legal action against employment agencies and individuals allegedly involved in corrupt recruitment practices and illicit employment networks. The objective is to restore confidence among foreign employers and demonstrate that Sri Lanka is prepared to enforce accountability within its overseas recruitment system.
The developments come as the National People’s Power government, led by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, pursues administrative reforms intended to eliminate institutional corruption and improve transparency.
A central component of the reform programme is the proposed replacement of existing regulations with a new SLBFE Act. The legislation is expected to establish stricter controls over foreign employment agencies and strengthen safeguards for Sri Lankan workers seeking employment abroad.
The proposed structural changes also target intermediary commissions and unauthorised payments. The practice of charging prohibited commissions or fees from foreign employment agents has been banned, according to the reform programme.
Another important area concerns the allocation of foreign employment quotas. The administration has pledged to eliminate arrangements in which opportunities are distributed through personal relationships between bureau officials and private recruitment agents.
Such changes could significantly affect the way employment opportunities are allocated, particularly if transparent procedures replace discretionary decisions.
The bureau is also moving towards comprehensive digitalisation. Application approvals and quota distributions are to be digitised, reducing unnecessary human intervention and creating verifiable records of transactions.
Digital systems could help identify responsible officials, track applications and reduce opportunities for undocumented decisions. However, their effectiveness will depend on proper implementation, independent oversight and public access to reliable information.
The reforms are being presented as part of the government’s broader anti-corruption programme, including the National Anti-Corruption Action Plan 2025–2029 and the Anti-Corruption and Asset Recovery Act.
For Sri Lanka’s migrant workers, the success of these reforms will ultimately be measured by whether employment opportunities are distributed fairly, recruitment costs remain lawful and overseas workers receive the protection promised by the State.