BIA, Dec 19  - The first group selected for jobs in the Israeli agricultural sector left for Israel from the Katunayake Airport last night (18), the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) said.

Accordingly, thirty persons were included in this group. Another group of twenty will leave for Israel this morning (19), with an additional group of thirty scheduled to be sent to Israel tonight (19). 

Air tickets for the first batch of workers were handed over by the Minister at a ceremony held yesterday to mark International Migrant's Day.

During the event, the Minister stated that according to a bilateral agreement between the two countries, 10,000 workers will be able to fly to Israel in the next few weeks.

The Minister emphasized that there is no need to pay money to any party for these jobs. Therefore, even if it is discovered after going abroad that someone has paid money to obtain these job opportunities, they will be brought back, as both governments have reached an agreement on repatriating those who have paid money.

In addition, the Minister further said that Israel has agreed to hire 2,000 workers for job opportunities in the construction sector.