The government has reached an agreement to provide a certain part of the number of foreign employment opportunities received from foreign countries to retired military personnel and family members of deceased war military personnel of Sri Lanka.

According to a Defense Ministry statement, the program of providing foreign employment to retired armed forces members and war hero family members commenced on State Minister of Defense Premitha Bandara Tennakoon’s initiative.

The Defense Ministry states this foreign employment program was facilitated after successful discussions State Minister Tennakoon had with Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara.

The Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment has expressed willingness to provide a certain part of the amount of foreign employment opportunities received by the Government from foreign countries to retired military personnel and family members of deceased war military personnel.

The representatives of the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment had said that as the initial phase of this, a certain amount of construction sector job opportunities will be provided in Israel.

Arrangements are being made to provide loan facilities to expatriates at concessional interest rates through state banks and 67 personnel from the Army have been identified to be sent for these jobs.

Further, instructions have been given to Navy and Air Force authorities to call for nominations from prospective personnel.

It was also informed that retired tri-forces members under the age of 44 years will be selected and they will have to undergo a brief training through the Ministry of Labour and Foreign Employment and also face an examination conducted by them.

The measures taken as per the agreement were outlined during a meeting to educate Tri Forces personnel on the foreign employment program that was held under the patronage of State Minister Premitha Bandara Tennakoon on Tuesday (June 04).