Youth selected for Israeli construction jobs under G2G program to protest next week

Saturday, 1 August 2026 01:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Peaceful demonstration to urge Govt. to address prolonged delays, lack of transparency, and concerns regarding unfair treatment

Nearly 3,000 Sri Lankan youth who have been selected for employment in Israel’s construction sector under the Government-to-Government (G2G) recruitment program are planning a peaceful protest on 6 August 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Parliament Roundabout, Battaramulla.

The purpose of this protest is to seek the intervention of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to address the prolonged delays, lack of transparency, and concerns regarding unfair treatment in the implementation of the Israel G2G recruitment program.

A statement from the Israel G2G Selected Candidates said that all candidates successfully completed the required professional examinations, interviews, and selection procedures under the G2G program and were officially selected through a transparent lottery conducted by the Israeli authorities. Despite fulfilling every requirement, many have been waiting for more than a year without receiving their employment agreements or any clear explanation regarding the delays.

The protesters are deeply concerned that while thousands of qualified G2G candidates continue to wait, private recruitment agencies appear to be receiving a significantly higher number of job agreements for similar employment opportunities. This situation has raised serious concerns regarding transparency, fairness, and equal treatment by the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE). Many candidates have invested considerable time, money, and effort in this process, and their families continue to face financial and emotional hardship due to the prolonged uncertainty.

“Our objective is not confrontation but to respectfully appeal to the President to intervene, ensure a transparent review of the recruitment process, address any unfairness, and facilitate a fair and timely solution for all eligible G2G candidates,” the statement added.