A three member official delegation led by Mr. Razik Zarook/ Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon and Mr. Amal Senalankhadikara, Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment along with Mr. Herath Mudiyanse, Senior Deputy General Manager of the Bank of Ceylon visited Israel from 22nd to 25th October 2013 to conduct a Promotional Seminar on “Remittances to Sri Lanka” on an invitation extended by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Israel Mr. Sarath Wijesinghe.
The promotional seminar held at the premises of the Embassy in Tel Aviv was very productive and informative to the many Sri Lankans who took time off from their workplaces to attend the event.
Speaking at length on the significance of repatriating money to Sri Lanka through legal channels and on managing finances prudently, Mr. Razik Zarook/ Chairman of the Bank of Ceylon informed the gathering that remittances are the largest source of Sri Lanka’s foreign exchange, comprising 8%of Sri Lanka’s GDP at present and further stating that this has now exceeded the income received from our traditional export income generating sectors such as tea, rubber, coconut, gemstones and garments.
An interactive briefing session for the delegation with the Sri Lankan Care Givers in Israel was also organised during the official visit to increase awareness and to update the migrant worker force in Israel of the new incentives and assistance provided by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment for their welfare.
The Chairman of the SLBFE enumerated at length on the importance of joining the “Rata Viruwo” Organization, a progressive initiative of Hon. Dilan Perera, Minister of Foreign Employment Promotion & Welfare to extend more benefits for our migrant workers. It was stated during the discussion that the Organization which is run along the lines of a people’s movement at grass roots level under the direct supervision of the State authorities, aims to bring about positive changes economically and socially to the lives of the families of migrant workers.
Members of the delegation also held separate meetings with representatives of the Israeli banking, tourism and employment sectors and also visited the WATEC Exhibition which is Israel’s largest Exhibition on water technology and environment control held on 22nd and 23rd October at the Trade Fairs and Exhibition Centre Grounds in Tel Aviv.
Pictures below depict some of the highlights of the visit.
Embassy of Sri Lanka
Tel Aviv
