(Lanka-e-News, 2008 March 17, 4.20PM) There are 240 female housemaids stranded at the Embassy. In addition there are 19 males who have stayed at the Embassy for about two months due to problems at the work places. These Sri Lankan men have come to Kuwait paying Rs 120,000/- for various agents in Sri Lanka. Most of them have sold their properties to collect funds. On arrival they were not paid the agreed salary and not provided with the facilities as per labour contracts.

As a result they ran-away from the employers and came to the Embassy to get their problems solved. However, for the last two months nothing has been done to resolve the issues. Yesterday (16), they have been able to present their problems to the Minister amidst much protest from the Ambassador and Mr.Basheer of the Labour Section of the Embassy.

The Minister has ordered the officers to solve their problems and get their passports from the employers as soon as possible for them to return to Sri Lanka. In reply, Mr. Basheer has told the Minister that their passports are not required to deport them. The Minister got angry and said if the officers cannot even get a passport of a Sri Lankan from their employer what the use of keeping them paying high salaries.

Today, afternoon suddenly the Ambassador has ordered the security staff of the Embassy to chase all the run-away males out of the Embassy premises. This is done as they complained the Minister against his trusted aide Mr. Basheer.

The picture shows that they were out side the Embassy in the cold evening without any help. This is the way � top class management consultant� solve the problems of Sri Lankas.