Minister of Foreign Affairs Vijitha Herath spoke today with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, regarding Thailand’s assistance in rescuing and safely repatriating trafficked Sri Lankans.

During a telephone conversation with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister Herath also reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation with Thailand.

Minister Herath highlighted the significance of diplomatic relations between the two countries and expressed Sri Lanka’s continued support for Thailand’s BIMSTEC Chairmanship ahead of the BIMSTEC Summit scheduled for April this year. 

He also expressed appreciation for Thailand’s ongoing support in rescuing and repatriating Sri Lankans trafficked to cybercrime centres in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar. 

Since 2023, Thailand has facilitated the safe return of 58 Sri Lankans who were forcibly detained by human trafficking syndicates. 

Minister Herath urged Thailand’s urgent cooperation to expedite the rescue and repatriation of the remaining 18 Sri Lankans, who are reportedly facing torture and mistreatment in these centres. 

The Foreign Minister of Thailand assured assistance to Sri Lanka in the endeavour to rescue the remaining trafficked Sri Lankans. 

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it will continue efforts to secure the rescue and repatriation of the remaining Sri Lankans in Myawaddy, with the support of the Thai and Myanmar governments.

Meanwhile, more than 250 people from 20 nationalities, including one Sri Lankan, who had been working in telecom fraud centres in Myanmar’s Karen State were released by an ethnic armed group and brought to Thailand.

According to the Thai Defence Ministry, the rescued foreigners were brought under its protection on Wednesday at a crossing point on the border with Myanmar. (Newswire)

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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)

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The government has announced the establishment of an ‘Anti-Narcotic Command’ to combat the influx of drugs and possible weapons trafficking from foreign nations into Sri Lanka. 

Making the announcement, Senior Adviser on National Security to the President and Chief of the Presidential Staff, Sagala Ratnayaka said this initiative will empower the country’s armed forces and the State Intelligence Service to collaborate with international intelligence agencies in conducting necessary operations. 

According to the President’s Media Division (PMD), Ratnayaka made the remarks today (24) while inspecting the recent seizure of 200 kilograms of heroin valued at Rs. 4 billion, which was intercepted in the high seas and brought to the Colombo port on Monday.

Based on data obtained from a collaborative mission involving the Sri Lanka Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship ‘Samudraraksha’ was dispatched on a deep-sea mission approximately 91 nautical miles (168 km) to the west of Galle. During this operation, a shipment of heroin was intercepted and subsequently transported to the port of Colombo. 

Sagala Ratnayake further emphasized that the drafting of essential legislation to create this ‘Anti-Narcotic Command’ is currently underway and will soon be presented to the Parliament. 

Ratnayaka underscored that while 65% of drug raids result in arrests, the remaining 35% continue to infiltrate the country. He stressed the urgency of implementing a modern program aimed at entirely preventing the entry of drugs into our country. 

“First and foremost, I extend my congratulations to both the Navy and the Police Narcotics Bureau for successfully apprehending 200 kilograms of heroin. Remarkably, this marks the second substantial drug seizure within a brief span of time. The initial operation was executed based on intelligence provided by the Police Narcotics Bureau, while the most recent operation, according to information from the State Intelligence Service, was carried out by the Navy. The widespread global network of drug trafficking necessitates ongoing efforts to safeguard our population from this peril. In collaboration with the Navy, Police and various government agencies, Sri Lanka actively conducts drug raids. These endeavours result in the apprehension of approximately 65% of drugs attempting to enter the country, with the remaining 35% still making their way in. According to the latest intelligence, these drug shipments arrive at the international maritime border via large vessels and are subsequently transported into the country via smaller boats. This expansive drug network poses a significant challenge,” Ratnayaka said.

He went on to say that there is a concerning possibility of arms trafficking intertwined with these drug trades. 

“Vigilance in this regard is paramount, as it could pose a substantial threat to national security. To address these challenges, the development of new legislation is underway, with the creation of an Anti-Narcotic Command in progress. Proposed laws are in preparation and will be presented to the Parliament for future implementation. Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and a group of high-ranking officers of the Navy were also present on this occasion,” he added. (NewsWire)

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