MPs highlight need for prison reforms, monitoring of migrant workers

By Ashwin Hemmathagama – Our Lobby Correspondent

Moving the debate, United National Party MP Ranjan Ramanayake highlighted the difficulties Sri Lankan migrant workers face in Middle East countries where Shari’ah law is strictly followed. “Foreign employees bring lot of income to Sri Lanka. According to Central Bank statistics, migrant workers have remitted US$ 4.1 billion in 2010 and US$ 5.2 billion in 2011. If you quantify this, there are 1.8 million Sri Lankan workers in foreign lands, but this does not include those who cross the borders illegally, which also on the rise.”

“Due to harshness of Shari’ah law prevailing in the Middle East, countries such as Indonesia, Bangladesh, Sudan, Ethiopia and the Philippines have stopped sending their workers but we are continuing to send our Sri Lankans while showcasing ourselves as the Miracle of Asia. The Government is also taking part in this by joining hands with illegal job agencies.

“Rizana is still there for seven and a half years in prison. The Government still can’t bring her back to Sri Lanka. There are 600 Sri Lankans in Oleiya camp in Saudi Arabia and there are 400 more in Jordan. Other than Neth FM, none of the other media stations are talking about this issue when advertisements are given as a deciding factor to keep them at bay,” said MP Ramanayake.

United Peoples Freedom Alliance MP Ven. Ellawama Medhanandathero addressing the House about the betterments and the rehabilitation provided by the prison system in Sri Lanka said: “There are two types of wrongdoings, according to Buddhist teachings in Vajra Sutra. The first type of wrongdoing makes an impact during this life and the other will be included in the current life as well as the next births, continued suffering for the wrongdoing.

“But people continue to do wrongdoings or crimes and face punishment, including imprisonment. However, we need to reconsider the person who is punished, rehabilitating according to his crime and the offence. The riots inside the prisons are triggered by a few, but not all prisoners. Compared to prisons in other parts of the world, our prisoners get lots of facilities. We are a nation that rehabilitated the terrorists who fought with us for over 30 years.”

Democratic National Alliance MP Sunil Handunetti made several suggestions to regularise the foreign employment for the betterment of Sri Lankans going abroad, especially the Middle East. “We should be able to establish benchmark wages for the unskilled labourers leaving Sri Lanka for the first time. This will eliminate the disparity between the wages Sri Lankans receive compared to Filipino workers.

“Secondly, our diplomats should regularly visit factories and houses to inspect the living and working conditions of Sri Lankan workers. Thirdly, the insurances given for migrant workers should have more benefits. Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation has to be the sole authority to handle such insurance policies, not any other private institution. Apart from that, prison officers have not been paid overtime for the last six months. You have recruited two hangmen but there is no rope,” said Handunetti.