Nov 19, Colombo: Sri Lanka Minister of Foreign Employment Keheliya Rambukwella predicted a 20% increase of foreign remittances this year.

Speaking during the committee stage of the budget debate, he said that 7,800 people had gone to South Korea for employment this year, a sharp increase against 2,085 the previous year.

Pointing out that the number of female workers seeking foreign employment has been reduced from 62 per cent to 48 per cent in accordance with the government policy, the Minister said that discussions are underway with the countries like Libya, Poland, Rumania, and Canada to seek job opportunities.