{"id":152645,"date":"2025-10-19T15:40:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-19T22:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/?p=152645"},"modified":"2025-10-19T15:43:10","modified_gmt":"2025-10-19T22:43:10","slug":"is-a-job-mafia-to-israel-operating-from-sri-lanka","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lankaweb.com\/news\/items\/2025\/10\/19\/is-a-job-mafia-to-israel-operating-from-sri-lanka\/","title":{"rendered":"Is a Job Mafia to Israel Operating from Sri Lanka?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Shenali D Waduge<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n

The recent arrest and bail of former Foreign Employment Minister Manusha Nanayakkara has renewed attention on allegations of a foreign employment network funneling Sri Lankan citizens to Israel under questionable circumstances. At the center of the controversy is Saman Priyantha, a private employment agent reportedly offering job placements in Israel. Multiple complaints filed with the Urugasmanna Junction Police allege that Priyantha collected substantial sums from prospective workers, delivering few legitimate job placements. Allegations of a shadowy employment network needs to be investigated.<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What distinguishes this case is the reported connection between Priyantha and Israeli Consul General in Sri Lanka, Dinesh Rodrigo<\/strong>. Publicly available photos and video material suggest that Israeli embassy officials visited Priyantha\u2019s office<\/strong>, potentially giving an impression of official endorsement. These interactions were reportedly facilitated by Consul General Rodrigo<\/strong>, creating questions about the extent of diplomatic involvement in private employment matters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Why would Israeli officials visit a private employment agency when all legal foreign employment programs operate through the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE)?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Could such interactions indicate misuse of diplomatic privilege, whether intentionally or inadvertently?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Are there systematic checks to ensure private agents are not exploiting Sri Lankan citizens under the guise of foreign employment?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Dehiwala Religious center controversy<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further intensifying public concern is the alleged establishment of a private religious site in Dehiwala<\/strong> associated with the Israeli Consul General. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Residents have reportedly expressed alarm at:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       A building approved as commercial property<\/strong> being converted into a religious center<\/strong> without following Sri Lanka\u2019s religious site approval process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       The presence of heavy security from the Army and Navy positioned in high rise bunkers<\/strong>, raising questions about national security priorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Claims that the center attracts Sri Lankans converting to Judaism for citizenship purposes<\/strong>, rather than being used by a recognized Jewish congregation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Reports suggesting that Consul General Rodrigo functions as the head religious officiant<\/strong>, a role outside diplomatic norms under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations (1963)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These circumstances raise urgent questions for authorities:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Can a foreign diplomat legally operate a religious institution in a host country?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Who authorized state security deployment for a private building?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u00b7       Was this site used to indirectly facilitate foreign employment placements or conversions?<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A careful investigation is required to determine the legality of the building, its use, and the appropriateness of the security detail.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Video evidence for public review:<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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