A significant opportunity has emerged for Sri Lankan professional workers in Saudi Arabia, as the Kingdom accelerates development under its ambitious Vision 2030 initiative. A special delegation, led by the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), Mr. Koshala Wickramasinghe, recently participated in a high-level employment promotion program aimed at securing professional job opportunities for Sri Lankans in key sectors.
The delegation, which included SLBFE officials and representatives from 15 private foreign employment agencies, engaged in discussions with multiple Saudi institutions to identify labor needs and promote Sri Lankan talent. The visit commenced on May 11 and focused on aligning Sri Lanka’s skilled workforce with Saudi Arabia’s growing demand for professionals in construction, hospitality, healthcare, finance, and technology.
Speaking about the progress of the visit, Mr. Wickramasinghe stated:“A special delegation is currently visiting Saudi Arabia to further promote overseas employment opportunities for Sri Lankans. Prior to this mission, we conducted a survey and identified around 6,000 professionals—including engineers, quantity surveyors, and architects—interested in working in Saudi Arabia.”
According to the Chairman, the meetings in Riyadh were highly productive.“A large number of Saudi institutions expressed strong interest in hiring Sri Lankan workers. The response was very encouraging and reflected the global demand for skilled labor,” he added.
Mr. Wickramasinghe emphasized the importance of equipping Sri Lankan workers with advanced technical knowledge to meet the expectations of international employers. He also noted that the Bureau has initiated a proactive approach by visiting companies directly to explore employment opportunities without waiting for official requests.The Gulf region, particularly Saudi Arabia, continues to hold Sri Lankan workers in high regard due to their work ethic and adaptability.
“There is a special demand for Sri Lankan workers in the Gulf. They have a very optimistic view of our workforce, and I have seen this firsthand,” the Chairman remarked.In 2024, Sri Lanka earned $6.5 billion in foreign remittances, and the SLBFE aims to increase that figure to $7 billion this year through enhanced employment initiatives abroad. A special program is expected to be launched soon to further support this goal.Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 is a comprehensive national strategy aimed at transforming the Kingdom into a diversified, vibrant society with a thriving economy. The large-scale development underway is expected to create thousands of jobs, many of which are being opened up to foreign professionals.
With its timely efforts and strategic engagement, Sri Lanka is positioning itself to become a key supplier of professional talent to Saudi Arabia’s rapidly evolving economy.
