By: Leo Nirosha Darsha
The Sri Lankan government’s policy of sending thousands of workers to Israel to replace Palestinian laborers continues to expand, even as the nation publicly calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and supports a two-state solution. The dual-track approach has drawn criticism from activists, who argue that the policy contradicts Sri Lanka’s historical solidarity with Palestine.
The labor migration program has seen a significant increase since October 2023, when the Israeli government revoked permits for Palestinian workers, leaving thousands of vacancies in its agricultural, construction, and caregiving sectors. According to the Sri Lanka Foreign Employment Bureau (SLFEB), over 6,000 Sri Lankans have secured jobs in the construction sector under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Israel, with a new group of 29 caregivers having also departed in July 2025. This brings the total number of Sri Lankan caregivers recruited to Israel in 2025 to 379.
The government, now led by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna/National People’s Power (JVP/NPP), has consistently defended its decision, citing economic necessity. In May 2025, Minister Bimal Rathnayake stated that ending ties with Israel would “crash” the Sri Lankan economy and lead to job losses for citizens already working there. He emphasized that the government’s position, while supporting Palestine, is aligned with countries like China and Russia that maintain diplomatic and economic relations with both states.
“We believe in an independent Palestinian State and an independent Israeli State,” said Rathnayake. “Sri Lanka will continue with political and economic ties with Israel for our own benefit.”
Despite these assurances, public concern over the policy is growing. A recent report from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated a temporary suspension of new worker deployments in June 2025 due to regional instability and a cessation of international flights to Israel. The ministry later announced an extension of expired re-entry visas until July 31, 2025, allowing workers who had returned to Sri Lanka to go back to their jobs. This followed a recent flare-up of hostilities between Israel and Iran.
The expansion of ties has also been seen in other sectors. Sri Lanka opened a new consulate in Haifa, a major trade hub in Israel, in March 2024. This was followed by discussions on new trade opportunities in gems, jewelry, cinnamon, and agriculture. However, the government’s decision to grant visa-free entry to Israeli nationals to boost tourism has triggered protests from activists, who argue that the policy is an endorsement of Israel’s actions in Gaza and could allow individuals accused of war crimes to enter the country.
Safety concerns for Sri Lankan workers remain a key issue, with the SLFEB consistently downplaying the risks. While the government highlights the economic benefits of remittances, critics point to the ethical implications of filling a labor vacuum created by a conflict that has resulted in a high number of casualties.