Sri Lanka Customs officers at the Katunayake Airport (BIA) have arrested nine (09) Chinese nationals on suspicion of arriving in the country to commit computer‑related financial crimes.

The group was stopped at the Green Channel after having arrived from Kunming, China, on Wednesday (15).

Customs officials discovered a concealed stock of electronic communication devices valued at Rs. 24 million, hidden with cellotape on their bodies and within their clothing.

The seized items included 383 used mobile phones worth Rs. 17.5 million, 101 tablet computers valued at Rs. 6.47 million, and six WiFi routers with GPS trackers estimated to be Rs. 30,000. 

Sri Lanka Customs has ordered the forfeiture of the goods, citing violations of import regulations. (Newswire)

The post Chinese nationals caught at BIA with concealed electronics worth over Rs. 24 Mn appeared first on Newswire.

Eight Sri Lankan nationals who were detained at an illegal cyber slave camp in Myanmar, which is part of a human trafficking racket, have been rescued, it was reported.

According to News1st, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Myanmar Janaka Bandara said the Myanmar Home Affairs Ministry has officially confirmed the rescue of the eight Sri Lankans.

Stating that the group includes six males and two females, he further said that the Sri Lankans are at the Myamaddi Police Station, which is in a region that is operated by the Government of Myanmar.

The Ambassador added that the Sri Lankan Mission, the Foreign Affairs Ministry, and other relevant authorities will work towards the safe return of the rescued Sri Lankans. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in coordination with the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar, has been engaged in efforts to rescue and repatriate around 56 Sri Lankans who became victims of human trafficking and were trapped in Myanmar.

In December last year, it was reported that the group had been brought to Thailand for jobs related to the IT Industry and instead had been 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, with the latter demanding US$ 8000 per person for their release. 

Following a discussion with the Myanmar authorities, the Embassy of Sri Lanka was able to last year rescue 32 Sri Lankans who were held captive.

Thereafter, discussions were underway between Sri Lankan and Myanmar authorities to rescue the remaining 56 Sri Lankans who were being held captive. (NewsWire)

The post Eight Lankans held captive in Myanmar rescued – SL Embassy appeared first on Newswire.