May 30th 2024.
The Sri Lankan government has recently expressed concerns to Russia about the involvement of Sri Lankan ex-military personnel in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya stated that an official request has been made to Russia to stop the deployment of Lankan mercenaries until further decision is made after a meeting between Russian diplomats and Sri Lanka's Defence Ministry.
According to Balasuriya, the Sri Lankan government has received 455 complaints regarding Sri Lankans who have been fighting for Russia in the conflict. He also revealed that 16 Sri Lankans have gone missing and 37 have been reported injured, but these numbers may be even higher. Unconfirmed reports suggest that over 200 Sri Lankans may have lost their lives and hundreds more are receiving medical treatment in Russian hospitals.
It has been reported that around 1,000 Sri Lankan ex-soldiers, who previously fought in the 26-year-long war against the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, have been recruited to join the mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Balasuriya acknowledged that it is difficult to determine the exact number of Sri Lankans involved, as many of them have entered Russia through other countries and some have been deceived by unscrupulous agents.
In response to this issue, the Sri Lankan security agencies have launched an investigation into a human smuggling ring that is responsible for sending ex-soldiers to the warzone. Several suspects, including a retired army official, have been arrested in connection with this racket. The government has also taken measures to require Defence Ministry clearance for any ex-military personnel leaving for Russia.
Sri Lanka's Foreign Minister Ali Sabry announced on social media that Russia has agreed to require Defence Ministry clearance for visit visas issued to ex-servicemen. He also stated that a delegation from Sri Lanka, consisting of officials from the Foreign and Defence Ministries, will be visiting Moscow from June 5-7 to discuss this matter.
Meanwhile, the Russian Ambassador in Colombo has stated that Moscow is open to peace talks with Ukraine, but the current government in Kyiv is not willing to engage in such discussions. It is evident that both countries are taking steps to address the issue of Sri Lankan involvement in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and find a resolution. Let us hope that these efforts will lead to a peaceful resolution and ensure the safety of all Sri Lankans involved.
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