COLOMBO (News 1st) – In recent days, News 1st exposed the plight of Sri Lankan women taken to Oman on visit visas and being auctioned for sex in the Middle East.Around 90 women who were subject to multiple forms of physical and mental abuse are currently given shelter at a safe house operated by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Oman.However, this safe house lacks the most basic facilities to accommodate a single woman, let alone 90 of them.These Sri Lankan women, some of who were auctioned for sex, are at this safe house because of the excessive trauma that they experienced, and sadly it has now been revealed that they repeatedly exploited the safe house in Oman."It's been three years since I arrived in Oman.
I came here last month, but they are not allowing me to leave. The officer has my passport and documents. When I bring money for the tickets, he threatens to tear up my documents.
He is forcing me to be with him. I did not come here to love anyone. I've been stuck here for a month, and he's refusing to look at my documents.
I am kept here because I am not loving him," revealed one woman.Another said that the officer in question dictates the terms of operations at the Embassy, and that none of these women have even seen the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Oman.News 1st also came across a woman who returned from Oman.