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)