Several Sri Lankans who were stranded in Myanmar, Russia, Dubai, and Oman due to having fallen victim to human trafficking have been rescued, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said.

The State Minister said as a result of negotiations with Myanmar and Thailand, the Foreign Ministry has secured the release of 28 of the 55 Sri Lankans imprisoned in Myanmar for cyber crimes. 

“We are continuing efforts to secure the release of the remaining individuals as swiftly as possible,” he said. 

State Minister Balasuriya further said that the Ministry has facilitated the return of approximately 70 retired war heroes who joined the Russian army. “We have ensured they receive the benefits to which they are entitled” he added.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs had worked to repatriate Sri Lankans who, having travelled to countries such as Dubai and Oman on tourist visas, found themselves in distressing situations.

“Effective foreign policy is crucial for these activities, and having a competent team is essential. President Ranil Wickremesinghe has ensured that our Ministry can engage this team in Foreign Service free from political influence, allowing us to fully leverage the country’s foreign policy,” the State Minister added. 

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya made these remarks during a press conference held at the Presidential Media Centre on Wednesday. (Newswire)

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Thirty-four (34) Sri Lankans who have been victims of human trafficking remain to be rescued from Myanmar, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said.

The minister revealed this during a media briefing held today on the recent release of 20 Sri Lankans from illegal camps in Myanmar, who are currently in Thailand.

“The rescued students are in good health condition, although they will have to be sent for counselling,” Balasuriya said, adding that he has spoken to them over a video call.

Sri Lankan authorities are working to repatriate this group to Sri Lanka as soon as possible, he said. 

Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand Wijayanthi Edirisinghe said they will be screened first by Thai authorities and are currently under the care of immigration authorities of the country.

The group of Sri Lankans are expected to go through a stringent process involving the Thai Immigration, Ministry of Social Development and Human Security as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, she said.

The Sri Lankan Ambassador to Thailand said that the time frame for this process is not clear yet, adding that the International Organization for Migration (IOM) is assisting Sri Lanka in this regard. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has called for the ASEAN region to take decisive action against cybercrime centres and employment rackets in the region, during a meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum in Laos.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya addressing the 31st Ministerial Meeting of the ASEAN Regional Forum called for the Asia Pacific region to concertedly address emerging challenges including security-related aspects of new and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

In addition to sustaining the Asia-Pacific region’s efforts to promote peace, security, and cooperation, the Forum must address challenges to cyber and network security systems and tackle transnational organized crime, Balasuriya said. 

This year’s ARF Ministerial meeting attended by 27 ARF members, was chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith of Lao PDR, which holds the ASEAN Chairmanship.

Speaking further at the meeting, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya outlined Sri Lanka’s historical ties with ASEAN countries and the active role in the work of the organization particularly as Co-Chair of several intersessional processes in the areas of disaster relief, non-proliferation and disarmament. 

He proposed that ARF also initiate climate justice programs, establish stronger regional mechanisms for disaster relief and response as well as collaborate more intensely to address climate and environmental challenges. 

Minister Balasuriya also expressed Sri Lanka’s concerns relating to the humanitarian impact of the conflicts in the Middle East as well as in Russia – Ukraine and highlighted the negative consequences on the region and the global economy. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka has proposed to establish a joint working committee comprising Sri Lankan and Russian officials to address issues concerning Sri Lankans deployed in the Russian war.

The proposal was tabled when State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya met with his Russian counterpart Deputy Minister Andrey Rudenko and Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General A. V. Fomin in Russia today.

State Minister Balasuriya led a high-level delegation visiting the Russian Federation from 26 to 27 June, where the two countries agreed to engage regularly in the efforts to repatriate Sri Lankans deployed in the Russian Armed Forces on a contractual basis.

The interactions centred on the 17 Sri Lankans killed in action, payment of compensation for the deceased and the wounded, the plight of the uncontactable Sri Lankans, the possibility of voluntary returns, early termination of contracts and regularization of remuneration, Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said.

The high-level delegation led by the State Minister included Members of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekera and Gamini Waleboda, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence General G. D. H. Kamal Gunaratne, Charge d’Affaires of Sri Lanka to the Russian Federation Ambassador P. M. Amza, Additional Solicitor General Harippriya Jayasundara, Director General, Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sisira Senavirathne, former Ambassador Dr. Saman Weerasinghe and officials of the Sri Lankan embassy in Russia. (Newswire)

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Sri Lanka is committed to working with Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) member states to enhance trade relations, investment opportunities and economic integration, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said. 

The State Minister said by leveraging each nation’s strengths and resources, the ACD can collectively achieve sustainable growth and development and that the establishment of free trade agreements and regional economic partnerships will pave the way for a more prosperous and resilient Asia

Pointing out that the rapid advancements in technology and science present unprecedented opportunities for collaboration, he said Sri Lanka is eager to engage in joint research and development initiatives, particularly in areas such as information technology, biotechnology and renewable energy. 

By sharing knowledge and expertise, he stated, the ACD can address common challenges and drive innovation that benefits all member states. 

Drawing attention to Sri Lanka’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040, State Minister Balasuriya observed that Sri Lanka is also the first country in Asia to incorporate the global objective of zero carbon emissions into its national policy.

He affirmed Sri Lanka’s dedication to the vision of an enhanced Asian community through the Asia Cooperation Dialogue and added that Sri Lanka stands with fellow nations in recognizing the importance of enhancing cooperation to foster a more unified and prosperous Asian community. 

State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya made the remarks at the 19th Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD) held in Tehran, Iran on Monday (June 24).

The 19th Meeting of the Ministers was inaugurated by the Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Islamic Republic of Iran Dr. Ali Bagheri. 

On the sidelines of the Ministerial Meeting, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya held bilateral discussions with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko and discussed issues of mutual importance including his forthcoming visit to Moscow this week. 

He also met with the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of the Union of Myanmar Than Swe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Thailand Maris Sangiampongsa and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Nepal Narayan Kaji Shrestha Prakash and discussed the matters of mutual interest. (Newswire)

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The government is hopeful of releasing soon another group of Sri Lankans who were trafficked for forced criminal activities in cyber scamming compounds in Myanmar, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya said. 

Speaking to Newswire, State Minister Balasuriya said measures are underway to release the group soon, revealing that 49 more Sri Lankans are still held captive at a camp in the Cyber Criminal area operated by a terrorist group in Myanmar.

The State Minister of Foreign Affairs added that negotiations are underway with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand to facilitate the release of the group of Sri Lankans. 

State Minister Balasuriya further revealed that more Sri Lankans are continuing to fall victim to the racket, adding that reports have emerged of another Sri Lankan youth who had been employed via human traffickers. 

The State Minister requested the public to remain vigilant of such human trafficking rackets and to refrain from falling victim to such employment scams. 

In December last year, it was reported that a group of 56 Sri Lankans 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 terrorists demanding up to 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, out of which the authorities managed to rescue 08 Sri Lankans in April this year.

Currently, 49 Sri Lankans are being held captive at a camp in the Cyber Criminal area operated by a terrorist group in Myanmar, with the Sri Lankan government engaged in efforts to rescue them. (Newswire)

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State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya says former Ambassador to Russia Udayanga Weeratunga will not be a part of the official delegation visiting Russia next week to discuss repatriating Sri Lankan nationals from the country. 

Responding to questions on controversial statements made by the former Ambassador, the State Minister said that the government has not engaged with Weereatunga in this matter. 

“The Foreign Ministry cannot be wasting time correcting statements by certain individuals who want media attention,” he said. 

Asked if the Ministry was concerned that a representative of the Sri Lankan government for almost a decade was making controversial statements, the State Minister of Foreign Affairs said that these statements carry no weight. 

“It is very unfortunate that he was an ambassador for a decade. I’ll be very upfront with it. He has been making many statements, not only pertaining to the issue in Lanka but also related to various other matters,” Balasuriya said. 

The State Minister clarified that his statement about a former ambassador accompanying the Sri Lankan delegation to Russia was misreported by the media, stating that the former ambassador in question was Udayanga Weeratunga.

“It is very unfortunate that the press reports something to that effect. “Everybody started thinking that Udayanga is going to Russia, which is not the case,” he said. 

The Minister said that there has been no engagement with the former ambassador and stressed that the government will not engage with Weeratunga in the future. (Newswire)

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A Sri Lankan delegation is hoping to visit Russia in June to discuss the issue of Sri Lankan military personnel involved in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, State Minister Tharaka Balasuriya said on Thursday. 

Addressing the media today, State Minister Balasuriya said the Sri Lankan delegation will travel to Russia between June 5-7.

“A meeting is scheduled for this evening to discuss the visit to Russia. The Russian ambassador Levan Dzhagaryan is working to secure appointments with the relevant Russian authorities during this visit,” he revealed. 

Stating that 455 complaints have been received on the Defence Ministry’s hotline, he said 16 Sri Lankans are reported missing and the Sri Lankan authorities have been successful in repatriating 26 people so far.

State Minister Balasuriya said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is working hard to ensure the safe repatriation of Sri Lankans whatever their circumstances may be. 

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry yesterday announced that Russia will now require Sri Lanka Defence Ministry clearance for visit visas of ex-servicemen.

In a post on ‘X’, Minister Sabry said a constructive meeting had taken place with the Russian Ambassador in Colombo, Levan S. Dzhagaryan focussing on addressing the urgent situation of Sri Lankans being deployed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The government is currently involved in uncovering human trafficking rackets in Sri Lanka through which several war veterans had been sent to Russia to fight in mercenary groups in the conflict against Ukraine.

Several retired Army personnel have been arrested in the recent past for their involvement in sending Sri Lankans to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war promising several benefits. (Newswire)

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President Ranil Wickremesinghe has directed the dispatch of a special delegation to Russia to explore the possibility of repatriating Sri Lankans who were trafficked to the country.

State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya disclosed that the government is currently attempting to verify the exact number of Sri Lankans who are in Russia and were reportedly fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war.
“The President has issued instructions to send officials from the foreign ministry, the Defence Secretary as well as a former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia,” the State Minister said.

“We are finding it difficult to verify how many Sri Lankans are currently in Russia, as many of them had entered the country via India, and through visit visas,” Balasuriya said, adding that some of the migrants had been duped into believing that they will be receiving other employment opportunities.

Unofficial reports indicate that a number between 600 to 800 Sri Lankans are currently in Russia, the Minister said. “This is human trafficking, therefore the first order of business is to stop Sri Lankans migrating to the country,” he stressed. (Newswire)

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