Sri Lankans returning to Bahrain

By Shezna Shums

The Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has lifted the ban on people leaving for employment to Bahrain.

The temporary ban was imposed following the SLFEB decision to stop people from going to Bahrain due to the turmoil in that country.

Despite the unsteady situation in some of the Middle Eastern countries the SLFEB has noted that people are still seeking employment within this region.

Accordingly, SLFEB has recorded that during the months of January, February and March this year 47,180, 45,976 and 49,812 Sri Lankans respectively have found employment in the Middle East.  Although Bahrain has problems within the country, few Sri Lankans left that country unlike Libya where Sri Lankans fled that country even seeking refuge in neighbouring countries until they found a way of returning home.

A total of 14,000 Sri Lankans have been registered by the SLFEB as working and living in Bahrain and the Bureau has set up an office in Bahrain to assist the Sri Lankans working and living there.

There have been no reports of Sri Lankans being trapped in or getting injured due to the cross-fire arising from the unrest in that country.