Sri Lanka has requested assistance from Thailand to facilitate the early repatriation of rescued Sri Lankan nationals currently in the Myawaddy area in Myanmar.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Sabry engaged in a telephone conversation with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara on Thursday (Mar 14).
According to Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry, the Thai Foreign Minister agreed to facilitate the repatriation of the rescued Sri Lankans, who had allegedly been trafficked, via Thailand.
The eight Sri Lankans who are currently under the Myanmar government protection in the Myawaddy area in Myanmar have been provided with required assistance including meals and basic necessities with the facilitation of the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Yangon.
The Sri Lanka Embassies in Yangon and Bangkok are working together closely to ensure the safe and early repatriation of the Sri Lankans.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it also continues to work towards the rescue and repatriation of the remaining Sri Lankans trapped in the Myawaddy area.
Nearly 56 Sri Lankans who had been brought to Thailand for jobs related to the IT Industry had instead been trafficked and held captive at a camp in the Cyber Criminal area operated by a terrorist group in Myanmar.
Reports at the time revealed that the group of Sri Lankans were being subjected to inhumane treatment by the terrorist group.
Meanwhile, referring to the successful visit of the Thai Prime Minister to Sri Lanka which took place in February this year, the two Ministers also agreed to work on early implementation of the Sri Lanka-Thailand Free Trade Agreement (SLSFTA) and reciprocal visa-free arrangement between the two countries.
Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry added that strengthening cooperation in the areas of renewable energy and fisheries was also discussed during the telephone conversation. (NewsWire)