The number of Sri Lankans leaving for overseas employment rose 4.84% in July compared with June, the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said, making it the highest single-month total recorded so far this year.
The Bureau said 25,622 people departed for foreign jobs in July 2026, up from 24,440 in June.
Bilateral agreements driving demand
The SLBFE attributed the strong interest to memoranda of understanding the government has concluded with Israel, South Korea and Japan.
Under those arrangements, 2,521 people have so far left for jobs in Israel, 1,618 for South Korea and 79 for Japan.
The Bureau said 14 young men and women who secured employment in Japan were presented with air tickets at its offices on August 3. They have been placed in manufacturing, construction, care services and agriculture.
Remittances remain the largest earner
Money sent home by workers abroad remains Sri Lanka’s single largest source of foreign income. The SLBFE said migrant workers remitted US$4.6 billion in the six months from January to June this year.
The Central Bank has not yet calculated July’s inflows. Judging by recent months, the Bureau said, remittances for July can be expected to fall between US$540 million and US$570 million.
Sources: Hiru News.
