Over 700,000 passports issued within first 9 months; worker remittances swell

9 October 2022 06:05 pm Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 10 Bookmark

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The Department of Immigration and Emigration has issued 700,733 passports in the first nine months of this year, Deputy Controller of Immigration and Emigration Piyumi Bandara said.

She said passports were issued to 409,919 men and 290,814 women since January to September this year.

The highest number of passports, which is 115,286, were issued in August, she said.

She said the number of applicants who visit the department to obtain passports too has increased significantly this year.

According to the Department's statistics, 392,032 passports have been issued in 2021.

Meanwhile, more than 240,000 individuals have registered to take up jobs overseas this year.

Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara said 241,034 individuals have registered for foreign employment as of Saturday (Oct. 8).

The minister said the ministry is working with international partners to provide highly-paid jobs for Sri Lankans in countries such as Japan, South Korea and Malaysia in addition to Middle Eastern countries.

The minister said foreign remittances to Sri Lanka through official channels has seen a significant increase in the last month.

According to data released by the Central Bank of Sri Lanka, workers’ remittances increased to US$ 359 million in September from US$ 325 million in August. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)

Comments - 10

Good to have a special counter Sunday, 09 October 2022 07:30 PM

Whether any special counters are available for senior citizens who are having heath issues such as arthritis etc.

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Lankan for unity Sunday, 09 October 2022 08:36 PM

There are not that much high paid jobs for those lacking qualification and skills. If they were so capable they could apply for Residency Visa to democratic country. Relative to driving three wheeler middle middle east pay is higher. And Middle east housemaid high paid compare to local servant pay too.

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Not a modaya lk Monday, 10 October 2022 12:47 AM

So our SL Modaya politicians keep our youth stupid and uneducated. Then export them for menial jobs in the middle east. Collect their had earned remittances for their families and enjoy luxurious lifestyles by buying hummers, lambotghinis and boats. People of SL wake up.

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Aquarius Monday, 10 October 2022 03:12 AM

People ae leaving the country and our human resources are getting to a very unhealthy place. It is not only people with high professional qualifications but other ordinary citizens contributing to the workforce too are happy to leave. We are going to have a shortage in manpower and may have to seek help from neighbouring countries.

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Sokrates Monday, 10 October 2022 08:15 AM

We don't want to fool ourselves. In order to get highly-paid jobs abroad, the migrant workers would first have to have the right brain. But they don't. Also, most applicants for well-paid positions would drop out of training in Sri Lanka or fail the final exams, as has happened time and time again with jobs for South Korea in recent years. But the normal migrant workers will be smart enough not to throw their hard-earned dollars down the throats of the wicked Rajapaksa clan and their corrupt henchmen.

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Terrence Monday, 10 October 2022 09:20 AM

Do not underestimate our Sri Lankans who have the necessary qualifications but need to be groomed in skills where there is a demand for jobs in other countries to deliver the results in the English Language etc.

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Hoping to retire in few years Monday, 10 October 2022 08:39 PM

Nothing special about our current culture. This isn't cricket or sports star, to underestimate persons, but real ordinary work and jobs. Qualified persons would be fools to just seek to only to work overseas (only to come back), and instead should be looking for long term permanent residency anywhere in democratic nations.

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Jef Monday, 10 October 2022 10:37 AM

It's a good thing otherwise these fellows will get involved in unwanted activities sri lanka got not much to offer given the circumstances country facing financially economically hopefully magority will have a fresh start to rebuild them self for better future good luck to all

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Prasath Monday, 10 October 2022 03:32 PM

@ terrence let's not fool ourselves, people in other countries are also hard working. we are people who delve on our 2500 year old past and lost the today and tomorrow over and over again.

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Terrence Monday, 10 October 2022 05:30 PM

@Prasath whilst there is no denial of people in other countries being hard working but do not generalize by coupling all people of a 2500 history since being in an western country I observed that a majority of citizens obtain a dole to fall on and enjoy themselves at pubs and travel whilst our Sri Lankans have a frugal life and do not have this luxury but have a goal in earning for the upkeep of families in an adopted country as well if they so decide to come back for a good retirement

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