Driven by increased overseas employment and higher remittance earnings, the Bureau expanded assistance schemes covering insurance, education and social protection. Between January and November 2025, welfare assistance amounting to Rs. 964.30 million was provided to 326,246 migrant workers, while free insurance coverage was extended to 318,209 workers at a cost of Rs. 397 million.
Educational support also formed a major component of the programme, with scholarships totalling Rs. 50.88 million awarded to 1,628 children of migrant workers. A further Rs. 50.25 million was allocated to supply school equipment for 4,304 schoolchildren, easing the financial burden on migrant families.
In addition to routine welfare payments, the SLBFE spent funds on compensation for deaths and illnesses during overseas employment, assistance for returnees to engage in self-employment, health support for family members, benefits under the multiple loan scheme, and payments through the Employees’ Welfare Fund.
The Bureau also intensified action against foreign employment fraud, recovering more than Rs. 374 million through legal proceedings filed on behalf of affected workers. Service delivery was further enhanced with the upgrading of the SLBFE’s 24-hour Information Centre, improving access to reliable information for the public.
These welfare initiatives coincided with a landmark year for migrant remittances, as Sri Lanka recorded its highest-ever inflow of US$ 8.07 billion in 2025, equivalent to Rs. 2,432 billion, marking a 22.8 per cent increase over 2024.
Reflecting a government policy shift towards skilled migration, the SLBFE facilitated overseas employment for 311,139 Sri Lankans during the year, reinforcing the sector’s contribution to both household welfare and national economic stability.
