THE Sri Lankan consulate only knows the whereabouts of around 60 out of its estimated 13,000 nationals, who are yet to register with it.It yesterday urged Sri Lankans to register so that it could provide help to those who are staying in the country illegally, in co-operation with the Labour Market Regulatory Authority (LMRA).

“There are two types of illegal workers, the first who have visas but work for another sponsor, others whose visas expired long time ago,” said Sri Lankan honorary consul general P B Higgoda.

“We urge them to come forward and tell us their problems.

“There are 13,000 Sri Lankan’s in Bahrain, but only 60 are officially registered with the consulate, which is a very low number.

“If they already have a visa but work for another sponsor, they can either transfer to the place they are working or return to the initial sponsor if he agrees.

“And if their visas have been expired, they must approach us for assistance. We can help them to do the needful and change their status.

“They must follow the Bahrain law and register with the LMRA to avoid problems in the future.”

Mr Higgoda said most of the Sri Lankans in Bahrain were semi-skilled or professional and that he expected them to fully co-operate in this matter.

“We have a very small community in Bahrain and they need to co-operate with us,” he said.

The consulate currently has an office at the Sri Lankan Club to serve community members.

Mr Higgoda said he was authorised to handle all the issues, as they don’t have any embassy in Bahrain.

“As we have a very small community in Bahrain, we thought of not having the embassy and I was officially appointed by the president to handle all the work,” he added.

“I have been working with our Kuwait-based embassy for the past 11 years.”

Mr Higgoda said that since the Sri Lankan Embassy responsible for its citizens in Bahrain was based in Kuwait, illegal residents should submit their requests at the club and he would then forward them to officials there.

For more information or assistance, Sri Lankans can call Mr Higgoda on 36963277. aneeqa@gdn.com.bh