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20 Lankans deported per week from Malaysia over visa violation: Defence Ministry
A number of Sri Lankans who have been visiting Malaysia under visit visas with the belief that their visas could be converted to work visas were denied entry by the Malaysian authorities, the Defence Ministry said.
Accordingly, at least 20 Sri Lankans per week are reportedly being deported directly from the airport to Sri Lanka.
The Defence Ministry said that it has been brought to the notice of the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force that an increasing number of Sri Lankans are flocking to Malaysia under visit visas with the impression that their visas would be converted to job visas.
Due to such visits in large numbers, Malaysian Immigration Authorities are taking stringent measures to scrutinize visit visa holders.
Many persons who managed to gain entry into Malaysia on visit visas, have later found out that they have been duped by ‘job agents’ and they will be forced to work in harsh inhumane conditions with little wages and no labour rights, and thus become victims of human trafficking.
It was further reported that the amnesty period granted for illegal immigrants to exit from Malaysia ended on June 30, 2022. Malaysian Law Enforcement Agencies are now engaged in continual raids to apprehend foreigners without valid visas.
When apprehended, persons without valid visas will have to serve prison terms and upon being released they will be detained at a designated detention centre until such time arrangements would be made to deport them at their own expense.
Therefore, the National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force of Sri Lanka advises the citizens of Sri Lanka that ‘visit visas to Malaysia cannot be converted into job visas upon arrival and urges the Lankans who are seeking employment abroad to do so via legitimate and authentic channels.
The Task Force requests citizens to verify such opportunities received by them with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) prior to proceeding ahead with those.
All prospective migrants are advised to use proper channels and register with the SLBFE before their departure from Sri Lanka. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)
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