<p><img src="" alt="Featured Image"></p><p><!-- wp:html --><p>Between 600 and 800 Sri Lankans, mostly former soldiers, have fallen victim to a human trafficking scam that involves sending Sri Lankans to Russia, where they are then dispatched to the frontlines in the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war. </p>
<p>State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya revealed this information, stating that there are reports that a senior military officer is involved in this racket.</p>
<p>Balasuriya made this announcement during a press briefing, at the President's Media Centre (PMC). He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence are currently conducting a census of Sri Lankans caught in the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to unofficial sources, approximately 600 to 800 Sri Lankans are trapped in the conflict, the majority of whom are former soldiers. These individuals were trafficked to Russia using tourist visas, with promises of job opportunities and citizenship in Russia. Balasuriya emphasised that this situation constitutes human trafficking.</p>
<p>Diplomatic discussions are planned to facilitate the return of those already in Russia. Despite the Minister of Foreign Affairs being overseas, President Wickremesinghe has directed the formation of a delegation to address the situation of Sri Lankans affected by the war. This delegation will include the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, a former Ambassador to Russia and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with plans for a prompt departure to Russia.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Division, of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), on Wednesday (15), arrested the owner and manager of a licensed foreign employment agency that sent Sri Lankans to serve in the Russian army.</p>
<p>According to reports, Sri Lankans were promised civilian service positions in the Russian Army through tourist visas but were instead sent to the front lines of the war. A senior officer of the SLBFE stated that the agency charged individuals Rs 1.5 million. He noted that seven complaints had been received about this agency and the total sum defrauded exceeds Rs 10 million.</p>
<p>On Wednesday (15), the Champika Export Foreign Employment Institute, located on Stanley Thilakaratne Mawatha in Nugegoda, was raided and the owner and manager were arrested. After recording their statements, the suspects were produced in the Negombo Magistrate's Court yesterday (16) and were remanded until 30 May. The SLBFE has also suspended the agency's licence.</p>
<p>Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara stated that the government does not approve of sending Sri Lankans to serve in any Army and that foreign jobs should not be obtained through tourist visas. He said he has instructed the Foreign Employment Bureau to punish those involved in such smuggling operations, regardless of their rank and urged people to thoroughly investigate before accepting foreign job offers.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ceylontoday.lk/2024/05/17/between-600-and-800-sri-lankans-trafficked-to-russia/">Between 600 and 800 Sri Lankans trafficked to Russia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ceylontoday.lk/">Ceylon Today</a>.</p><!-- /wp:html --></p><p>[Category: <a href="https://feed.lankaimage.com/category/uncategorized/" rel="category tag">Uncategorized</a>]</p><p><strong>Tags:</strong> </p>
<p>State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya revealed this information, stating that there are reports that a senior military officer is involved in this racket.</p>
<p>Balasuriya made this announcement during a press briefing, at the President's Media Centre (PMC). He stated that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defence are currently conducting a census of Sri Lankans caught in the Russian-Ukrainian war. According to unofficial sources, approximately 600 to 800 Sri Lankans are trapped in the conflict, the majority of whom are former soldiers. These individuals were trafficked to Russia using tourist visas, with promises of job opportunities and citizenship in Russia. Balasuriya emphasised that this situation constitutes human trafficking.</p>
<p>Diplomatic discussions are planned to facilitate the return of those already in Russia. Despite the Minister of Foreign Affairs being overseas, President Wickremesinghe has directed the formation of a delegation to address the situation of Sri Lankans affected by the war. This delegation will include the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, a former Ambassador to Russia and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with plans for a prompt departure to Russia.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Special Investigation Division, of the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE), on Wednesday (15), arrested the owner and manager of a licensed foreign employment agency that sent Sri Lankans to serve in the Russian army.</p>
<p>According to reports, Sri Lankans were promised civilian service positions in the Russian Army through tourist visas but were instead sent to the front lines of the war. A senior officer of the SLBFE stated that the agency charged individuals Rs 1.5 million. He noted that seven complaints had been received about this agency and the total sum defrauded exceeds Rs 10 million.</p>
<p>On Wednesday (15), the Champika Export Foreign Employment Institute, located on Stanley Thilakaratne Mawatha in Nugegoda, was raided and the owner and manager were arrested. After recording their statements, the suspects were produced in the Negombo Magistrate's Court yesterday (16) and were remanded until 30 May. The SLBFE has also suspended the agency's licence.</p>
<p>Minister of Labour and Foreign Employment Manusha Nanayakkara stated that the government does not approve of sending Sri Lankans to serve in any Army and that foreign jobs should not be obtained through tourist visas. He said he has instructed the Foreign Employment Bureau to punish those involved in such smuggling operations, regardless of their rank and urged people to thoroughly investigate before accepting foreign job offers.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://ceylontoday.lk/2024/05/17/between-600-and-800-sri-lankans-trafficked-to-russia/">Between 600 and 800 Sri Lankans trafficked to Russia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://ceylontoday.lk/">Ceylon Today</a>.</p><!-- /wp:html --></p><p>[Category: <a href="https://feed.lankaimage.com/category/uncategorized/" rel="category tag">Uncategorized</a>]</p><p><strong>Tags:</strong> </p>