The Sri Lankan embassy in Israel has disclosed alarming details about human trafficking activities responsible for bringing Sri Lankans to Israel illegally. According to Ambassador Nimal Bandara, the two Sri Lankan women who were recently arrested near the northern Israel border had been brought into Israel from Jordan by human traffickers. Joint efforts by Jordanian and Israeli officials led to their arrest in the Yamooch area.
The ambassador further clarified that the Sri Lankan individual who was attacked by Hamas had also entered Israel illegally, without proper authorization. While victims of attacks are entitled to compensation, individuals who enter the country without a visa and reside there illegally do not have the same rights.
Sri Lankan Ambassador to Jordan, Mrs. Priyangika Wijegunasekara, is actively working to identify the two Sri Lankan women arrested in this incident. They are examining records to ascertain their identities and provide assistance.
The embassy is highlighting an extensive smuggling operation, with people smugglers based in Jordan and Israel facilitating the illegal entry of Sri Lankans into the country. These individuals often arrive with tourist visas, claiming they have job opportunities in Israel. The traffickers promise to return their passports once they pay an agreed-upon sum, which is typically high—ranging from 4 to 5 million rupees. Families, including children, are among those who fall victim to these schemes.
In cases where Sri Lankans are apprehended, they risk deportation. The embassy has reported incidents of physical and mental abuse against these individuals, emphasizing the urgency of addressing this issue.
The number of people illegally brought into Israel on tourist visas is estimated to be between 800 to 1,000 individuals. The embassy has clarified that those who borrowed money, mortgaged property, and paid substantial sums to the human traffickers are unable to return to Sri Lanka. They have resorted to desperate measures, such as threatening to take their own lives if deported to their home country.
The ambassador has emphasized that while the embassy provides legal assistance, there are limits to what can be done outside the boundaries of the law. Therefore, the Sri Lankan ambassador to Israel is appealing to residents to avoid entering the country through human traffickers due to the significant risks and legal consequences involved.
Is this a joke? ‘Sri Lankans attacked by Hamas’.
Your story is 99% about human trafficking but your headline is very misleading and biased against Hamas. As we know Hamas don’t attack non-Israelis and ladies and children. Pls respect and abide by journalistic ethics.