Sri Lankan youths will be conditionally allowed to enter Japan under the Special Skilled Worker (SSW) visa category for employment opportunities in the field of construction, Minister of Labour & Foreign Employment says.

According to Minister Manusha Nanayakkara, the move comes into effect today (Dec.01).

Sri Lankan youths are, however, required to fulfil the Japanese language requirement by passing the proficiency exam in order to be eligible to secure entry to Japan under the SSW visa category.

This was announced at a joint press briefing chaired by Manusha Nanayakkara, the Minister of Labour & Foreign Employment; Mizukoshi Hideaki, the Japanese Ambassador to Sri Lanka; and A.A.M. Hilme, the chairman of Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) today.

Accordingly, a new skills test in the field of construction has been newly introduced in Sri Lanka for those working in Japan as specified skilled workers.

Together with the skills tests in nursing care, food service and agriculture, which have already been in place since last year, skills tests in four fields will be available in Sri Lanka.

In his remarks, Ambassador Mizukoshi expressed his sincere hope that as many talented Sri Lankans as possible will take this new opportunity to work in Japan, contributing not only to the development of Japan’s construction sector but also to Sri Lanka’s foreign currency acquisition.

He welcomed the rapid expansion of enthusiasm for learning Japanese, triggered by the beginning of the test for SSW in Sri Lanka last year and explained measures to support Japanese language education in Sri Lanka.

He also reiterated the Government of Japan’s strong commitment to provide continuous support for the people of Sri Lanka and to further deepen our long-standing friendship with Sri Lanka.