The National Anti-Human Trafficking Task Force (NAHTTF) has issued an urgent warning over a new wave of human trafficking activities targeting Sri Lankans, particularly linked to cyber scam centres in Southeast Asia.

Intelligence suggests these networks aim to lure and transport more than 50,000 individuals to scam compounds, with Sri Lankans among the primary targets.

Five new scam centres are reportedly being set up in remote areas, using fraudulent job offers and misleading online advertisements to attract job seekers. The NAHTTF said several Sri Lankans have been trafficked to these locations in recent weeks, some after being recruited while working in Dubai, and others directly from Sri Lanka through fake social media job postings.

According to the NAHTTF, organized trafficking syndicates operating in Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, and Laos are carrying out large-scale recruitment drives without effective government oversight. 

According to the NAHTTF, rescued victims have described harrowing abuse, including torture and electric shocks, raising serious concerns for the safety of those still trapped.

The NAHTTF urged the public to remain extremely vigilant when responding to job offers in Southeast Asia and to use official channels, including registration with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), before travelling abroad for work. Families and communities are also encouraged to report any suspicious recruitment activities to local authorities. (Newswire)

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The Ministry of Defence has taken several measures to address key issues affecting Sri Lanka, such as human trafficking to Myanmar and the deployment of war veterans to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. 

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) said the National Task Force Against Human Trafficking, which operates under his chairmanship, has taken all necessary steps to combat human trafficking in Sri Lanka.

He further said it has also enabled the country to maintain the US State Department’s Tier 2 status for three consecutive years.

Following are some key updates given by the Secretary of Defence;

• Human trafficking to Myanmar-

Measures have been taken to address the issue of Sri Lankans being forcibly held in Myanmar and exploited in online scams. Our focus has been on rescuing these individuals. Consequently, we successfully rescued 40 individuals and brought them back to Sri Lanka. However, another group of people has travelled to this area through brokers in Dubai, and 54 more individuals remain to be rescued.

In this regard, I have discussed the matter with the Prime Minister and the National Defence Secretary of Myanmar. Diplomatic requests and appeals were made, both officially and as a former military officer, to secure their release. The Defence Secretary of Myanmar has informed me that the Prime Minister has advised to intervene and take all necessary steps to address this issue.

• Deployment of war veterans to Russia- Ukraine war-

There is a concern regarding former military personnel caught in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. We are collaborating with the Ministry of Defence of Russia on this matter. We have also requested the Russian Embassy to notify the Ministry of Defence if any ex-military personnel have applied for tourist visas to Russia.

• Deployment to Red Sea mission –

Given the current situation in the Red Sea, there is now an opportunity to deploy 550 Sea Marshals, and recruitment for these positions is currently underway.

• Resumption of peacekeeping missions-

The United Nations has made the necessary arrangements to resume the peacekeeping missions that had been suspended. So far, a contingent of 301 troops has been deployed for peacekeeping duties in Lebanon, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic.

• Drug operations-

The three armed forces, including the Navy, have been pivotal in combating the drug menace, through the arrest of drug traffickers and the seizure of narcotics.

In 2023 alone, the tri-forces operations resulted in the seizure of nearly 560 kg of heroin, 3350 kg of cannabis, 5220 kg of Kerala cannabis, 60 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 151,000 drug capsules, and 6650 litres of illicit liquor. 

By July 2024, approximately 270 kg of heroin, 3640 kg of cannabis, 12,720 kg of Kerala cannabis, 150 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 43,600 drug capsules, and 5000 litres of illicit liquor had been seized. (Newswire)

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A total of 75 persons have been arrested so far this year over cyber crimes in Sri Lanka, the Police stated.

Issuing a statement, the Computer Crimes Investigation Division of the Sri Lanka Police provided an update on the arrests. 

Over the last few months, the Police have repeatedly issued warnings to the public to remain vigilant of cyber crimes. (NewsWire)

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