Rogue overseas job agents netted

Daily News
Rasika SOMARATHNA
Four rogue overseas job agents and one foreign educational consultant, operating without authorities' approval were arrested by Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) Sleuths.
The arrests had taken place in Thambuttegama, Aranayaka, Galgamuwa and Kurunegala when fully equipped offices were established. Sleuths had taken into custody passports, visas, medical certificates, job orders and documents from the locations, SLBFE sources said. According to the sources, the person arrested in Kurunegala, a registered agent of the SLBFE had been taken to task for engaging in a foreign educational consultancy business illegally.
In addition to recruiting migrant labourers the agent had also engaged in a lucrative business of sending prospective students to foreign destinations for a fee, using the same location. He had allegedly promoted educational opportunities in Australia , New Zealand , India and European destinations.
According to SLBFE regulations using a registered location by a manpower recruiter for other purposes than foreign employment prohibited. The SLBFE yesterday also voiced concern on the growing number of rogue foreign education providers and advised the public to be vigilant.
The SLBFE was given wide powers including permission to arrest without warrant any errant job agent or individual.
The arrested are to be produced in Courts