Manusha Nanayakkara,  Sri Lanka's Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment and representatives from Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Health mediated over this week's first round of recruiting in Colombo.

- In order to address the increasing demand in the medical field in the Kingdom, Sanjay Nallaperuma, media secretary of the Ministry of Labor and Foreign Employment, said that Saudi Arabia is seeking medical and paramedical personnel from countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka, according to a report of Arab news.

- "Their initial goal is to hire 1,000 nurses in a 12-month rolling program." In the first round, 95 nurses were chosen from 400 applicants. All the selected nurses have Bachelor of Science degrees, according to Nallaperuma. "Government hospitals across the Kingdom will receive them from the Saudi Ministry of Health." Trending : Saudi Arabia aims to create 150,000 new jobs in the Renewable energy and Chemical plants

- In keeping with international norms, Saudi Arabia's healthcare system greatly benefits from the services of nurses. Nursing is now a highly sought-after career path due to the Kingdom's health-related investments.

- The next recruitment period begins in August, and these 95 will leave in May, according to Nallaperuma. Their employment in the Kingdom, where the average income for nurses is 5,250 riyals (around $1,400), will help to stabilize Sri Lanka's struggling economy.

- Approximately 200,000 people leave Sri Lanka in search of employment opportunities elsewhere each year. The country has been in the depths of its biggest financial crisis since 2022, and they are a major source of foreign exchange. See Also : Saudi Arabia lowers domestic helpers recruitment fee from 6 countries

- Workers from Sri Lanka primarily go to nations that are members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, with Saudi Arabia being the most popular.

- During a period of economic recovery, we will receive foreign currency, according to Nallaperuma. "It's a tremendous gift from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia."