Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party and MP Ravi Karunanayake said that Sri Lankan youth would not be forced to seek employment overseas if well-paid job opportunities were available within the country.
Speaking to the media, he noted that an estimated 300,000 additional foreign job placements for Sri Lankans are expected to be facilitated through the Ministry of Labour.
Against this backdrop, he also revealed plans to bring in 7,500 foreign workers for Sri Lanka’s construction sector.
The MP stressed that providing these employment opportunities to local youth would help prevent valuable foreign exchange from leaving the country. He urged the relevant authorities to give immediate attention to the issue and prioritize creating sustainable jobs for Sri Lankans.
