Police raise alarm over domestic worker theft complaints, issues guidelines

The Sri Lanka Police have reported multiple complaints about domestic workers allegedly stealing valuable items like gold, cash, foreign currency, and other belongings from the homes where they worked. To combat these incidents, the police aim to raise public awareness and provide helpful advice, as stated by the Police Media Division. Hiring domestic workers is common in Colombo and nearby areas like Mirihana, Maharagama, Dehiwala, and Mount Lavinia, as well as in various regions across the country. These workers are often found through agencies, middlemen, or businesses, but some are hired directly by the homeowners. However, investigations into the complaints have shown that some domestic workers have taken items such as money, gold, and other valuables from the homes they were employed in. Due to these findings, the Sri Lanka Police believe it is crucial to offer guidance to the public to prevent similar thefts. They have outlined specific recommendations for homeowners when hiring domestic help. One key suggestion is for homeowners to provide copies of the relevant documents to the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the local police station and to notify the police about their new employees. Keeping a detailed record of these documents is also strongly recommended.