– A man known as ‘Dubai Sudda’, identified as Ranthathige Nisshanka Priyadarshana, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment, suspended, fined Rs. 100,000 and ordered to pay Rs. 700,000 in compensation to complainants over a foreign employment fraud case.

The sentence was delivered by the Kuliyapitiya Magistrate’s Court in a case filed by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).The suspect was accused of obtaining money by promising overseas employment in Dubai using tourist visas.He was arrested following a complaint lodged with the Bureau by a resident of Giriulla, who alleged that the suspect had obtained Rs. 700,000 on the promise of providing employment in Dubai but had failed to deliver the job.According to the Bureau, the suspect, who had returned to Sri Lanka from overseas, was arrested in the Kaduwela area while allegedly attempting to evade investigating officers in his personal vehicle.The suspect, a United National Party member of the Bulathsinhala Pradeshiya Sabha, had allegedly used social media to operate the scheme.Similar cases involving alleged financial fraud over promises of overseas employment have also been filed against him before the Welisara and Kaduwela courts.

The SLBFE has urged the public to be cautious of individuals who demand money by promising overseas jobs through tourist visas.

The public can report such incidents to the Bureau by calling its hotline on 1989 or 011 288 2229.