Three Opposition MPs leave for Thailand to assist Lankans in Myanmar & Russia

May 27, 2024 at 2:11 PM

Three Opposition Parliamentarians have left for Thailand to engage in discussions to assist in bringing back Sri Lankans who were trafficked to Myanmar, Russia and Ukraine. 

Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MPs J.C. Alawathuwala and Sujith Sanjaya Perera, and Sri Lanka Podujana Peramuna (SLPP) MP Wasantha Yapa Bandara left for Thailand this morning. 

The MPs are expected to engage in discussions to help repatriate Sri Lankans who were trafficked for forced criminal activities in cyber scamming compounds in Myanmar and Sri Lankans deployed to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The group of MPs will hand over letters of requests by the Sri Lankan Mahanayakes representing the three factions and the Opposition Leader to the Sangha Nayaka Theros of Thailand and government officials in Russia related to the matter. 

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. Nearly 40 of the Sri Lankans held captive have been rescued as of now. 

Meanwhile, 16 Sri Lankans are confirmed to have died fighting in the Russia- Ukraine war. The Sri Lankan Government has launched a probe after several human trafficking rackets sending war veterans to fight in mercenary groups in Russia had been busted recently, while several retired Army officials were arrested over their involvement in the rackets. (Newswire)