Sri Lankan migrant workers are the backbone of our economy, bringing in over $4.7 billion USD in foreign remittances in the first half of 2026 alone. Yet, for decades, workers facing contract violations, abusive employers, or rogue local agencies had no direct, transparent way to call for help from abroad.

To bridge this gap, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, alongside the SLBFE and the International Labour Organization (ILO), officially launched "LankaKonect"—a centralized digital complaint management platform.

Whether you are currently working overseas or you are a family member back home tracking a relative's welfare, here is how to use the LankaKonect system to report grievances, secure official assistance, and understand your updated legal rights.

 

What is LankaKonect?

 

LankaKonect is an official website and mobile application designed to allow any Sri Lankan worker overseas to submit grievances directly to the government from anywhere in the world.

Instead of waiting weeks to book an appointment at a local embassy or consulate, complaints are instantly routed to a dedicated tracking system monitored by the SLBFE and a newly established Special Investigation Unit (backed by CID officers) to wipe out agency malpractice.

 

Step-by-Step: How to Register a Grievance on LankaKonect

 

The portal is designed to be lightweight and accessible, operating in English, Sinhala, and Tamil.

1.Access the Platform:Mobile or Desktop.

Download the LankaKonect app from the Google Play Store / Apple App Store, or visit the official online portal via your browser.

2.Create a Profile Using Your Passport:SLBFE Verification.

Register using your Full Name, Passport Number, and current overseas mobile number. The system will automatically cross-reference your profile with the SLBFE database to verify your active foreign employment status.

3.File Your Complaint:Attach Evidence.

Select your category of grievance (e.g., unpaid salary, physical abuse, passport confiscation, or illegal sub-agent scams). Type out the details clearly and upload supporting evidence, such as photos of documents or WhatsApp chat screenshots.

4.Monitor Your Case Status:Real-time Tracking.

Upon submission, you will receive a unique tracking reference number. You can log back into the app at any time to see if your case has been assigned to an embassy official, referred to the CID unit, or resolved.

 

3 Critical Reforms Every Migrant Worker Must Know

 

The rollout of LankaKonect coincides with a major legislative overhaul through the upcoming New Foreign Employment Act. If you or a family member are employed overseas, make sure you are aware of these massive upgrades to worker security:

 

1. Doubled Government Compensation Rates

If a registered Sri Lankan migrant worker tragically passes away while employed overseas, the government has officially increased the emergency insurance compensation paid out to their immediate family back home from Rs. 600,000 up to Rs. 2 Million.

2. Strict Capping on Israel & Gulf Job Fees

The government has launched a massive crackdown on fraudulent local job brokers. For high-demand destinations like Israel, private recruitment agencies are now strictly prohibited from charging job seekers exorbitant fees (often Rs. 4 to 4.5 million illegally). By law, they can now only charge a maximum fee equivalent to twice the worker's expected monthly salary.

3. Future Pension & Voting Rights

The automated data captured by the LankaKonect pipeline is laid out to support two upcoming historic milestones: the establishment of a voluntary contributory pension scheme for overseas workers and the groundwork to allow overseas voting rights for Sri Lankans living abroad.

 

⚠️ Important Reminder for Families: To ensure full legal coverage under these new compensation and tracking systems, always make sure your family member registers officially with the SLBFE before departing Sri Lanka. Unregistered workers traveling on standard tourist visas face significantly higher barriers when seeking legal assistance.