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)