The Criminal Investigations Department (CID) has launched a probe into incidents of Sri Lankan female migrant workers sent as domestic workers to Oman being sold at auctions to work as escorts, Police Spokesman SSP Nihal Thalduwa said.
He further said investigations were launched after information was received on Sri Lankan women being sent to Oman for employment under the guise of a tourist visa, being abused.
He said upon their arrival, these women are not provided jobs as promised, and are instead sold at auctions to work as escorts.
Stating that the human trafficking racket is being carried out by local employment agencies with links to agents in Oman, SSP Thalduwa said a probe is underway to uncover more details of the racket.
He further said that a team of detectives from the CID has visited Oman as part of the ongoing investigations.
The Police Spokesman revealed that the team had met 45 Sri Lankan women who had been trapped in Oman as a result of the racket.
During the visit, it was uncovered that upon reaching Oman, the women are lined up according to their age and appearance, and sold via auctions to engage in sexual activity.
SSP Nihal Thalduwa said the 45 women met by the investigating team are currently placed at the Safety Centre at the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman.
According to News First, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment has said that necessary action will be taken after the CID investigation report is made available.
(NewsWire)