Human Trafficking to Oman; Main suspect arrested at BIA

Colombo (News 1st) - The Immigration and Emigration Unit at the Bandaranaike International Airport arrested the main suspect linked to trafficking Sri Lankan women to Oman, upon his return to the country from Dubai on Friday night (Nov. 18). 

The 40-year-old suspect is a resident of Wattala, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) told News 1st. 

According to the SLBFE, the suspect is believed to have trafficked women for sex through an office set up in Maradana.

The 40-year-old man was handed over to the Katunayake Police for further investigations and he will be produced at the Negombo Magistrate's Court on Saturday (Nov. 19).

The Foreign Employment Bureau has blacklisted a Foreign Employment Agency that is alleged to have committed human trafficking.

A temporary ban was also imposed on two other Foreign Employment Agencies for human trafficking, Gamini Senarath, the Deputy General Manager and the Spokesperson for the SLBFE told News 1st. 

These developments come after News 1st made multiple revelations about Sri Lankan women being trafficked to Oman using visit visa, and sold for sex.

Based on investigations conducted by Sri Lanka's Criminal Investigations Department, it was revealed that traffickers had taken away Sri Lankan women to Oman on visit visas, and auctioned them to the highest bidder for sex.

The CID investigation also revealed that an officer at the Safe House operated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman was also sexually abusing helpless Sri Lankan women.