A Sri Lankan housemaid serving in Oman has committed suicide by hanging, sources at the Bureau of Foreign Employment said.

The woman has been identified as a 35-year-old resident of Borella.

The Sri Lankan embassy in Muscat has been asked to furnish further details, General Manger of the Bureau Lasantha Ruhunage said.

The woman’s body is expected to be brought home and handed over to her next of kin.

Sri Lankan housemaids in Middle Eastern countries are facing numerous hardships and harassment.

A large number of them have returned home empty-handed, while some had even resorted to taking their lives as a way out of their suffering.

Many became disabled for life after failed attempts at suicide, and lead lives of misery back at home.