Leading construction companies have sought permission from the ministry to recruit around 7,500 foreign workers, citing an acute labour shortage in the construction industry, according to Kumudu Lal Bogahawatte, Secretary to the Ministry of Housing, Construction and Water Supply.
Addressing a media briefing, Bogahawatte said a recent survey revealed that the sector currently faces nearly 10,000 vacancies.
He noted that construction firms are looking to bring in workers from India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, adding that some foreign workers have already arrived in the country.
Bogahawatte said the ministry does not intend to curb the situation through restrictive laws, but instead has taken steps to train local youth to meet industry demands, thereby reducing reliance on foreign labour over time.
He further stated that the Construction Industry Development Authority (CIDA) is working to professionalise the Sri Lankan workforce, enabling local workers to migrate overseas as skilled professionals.
To attract more young people to the sector, the ministry plans to ensure job security, stable incomes, and long-term career prospects for construction workers.
Bogahawatte added that Sri Lanka will requir
