“Sri Lanka is working closely with the Government of Russia to repatriate Sri Lankans who are in the front lines. We are optimistic that we will be able to resolve this matter swiftly with close cooperation between both governments.”

The first meeting with Sri Lanka diplomats and Russian officials is to be held today.

“Today in Moscow, there will be a meeting in the Defence Ministry, between the diplomatic mission and defence attaché, with high-ranking military officials,” Russia’s ambassador to Colombo Levan Dzhagaryan said in Colombo in a joint press conference with the state minister.

“That would be the first step, in the continuous efforts to settle the situation.”

Sri Lanka was also planning to send a delegation to meet Russian defense officials.

Returnees have said about 600 to 800 Sri Lankans may be at the warfront working for Russian private military companies.

So far 26 have returned and 14 are ‘missing’, Minister Balasuriya said.

Returnees have said they were promised high salaries and told that they would be camp helpers or guarding captured territory.

Instead, they were sent immediately to the frontline which were killing fields teeming with Ukraine drones.

Some have got into debt to pay agents to go to Russia and are not being paid the full salaries, Minister Balasuriya said.

“Whenever they are getting paid their salaries are getting deducted and some of these people have come and complained to us,” he said.

Several agents including retired senior military officers have been arrested by the Police for trafficking of persons. (Colombo/May30/2024)

Sabry met the Russian Ambassador in Colombo Levan S Dzhagaryan on Wednesday.

“We addressed the urgent situation of Sri Lankans being deployed in the Russia-Ukraine conflict and agreed on immediate steps to resolve these issues,” the minister said on social media platform X (twitter).

“Russia will now require Sri Lanka Defence Ministry clearance for visit visas of ex-servicemen.”

The upcoming visit to Russia will enable further discussions to find a solution to this matter, Sabry said.

A Sri Lankan delegation including State Foreign Minister Tharaka Balasuriya and Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne will leave to Moscow “soon” to have discussions over concerns over hundreds of the island nation’s ex-solders now joined Russia-Ukraine war, Sabry said earlier.

At least 16 Sri Lankans are reported to have been killed and around 600 likely to have joined as combatants mainly to Russian side, taking risk for higher salary.

Related stories

Sri Lanka delegation to visit Moscow soon for discussions over ex-soldiers in Russia-Ukraine war

Over 200 Sri Lanka ex-soldiers dead in Russia-Ukraine frontline as drone fodder, escapee says

Returnees have said hundreds of Sri Lankan ex-soldiers and others are serving in Ukraine-Russia frontlines with most being duped that they were sent for support work as camp helpers. (Colombo/May29/2024)

“A delegation will leave and will include the State Minister, parliamentarians, and Defence Secretary,” Sabry told EconomyNext after he held discussions with the families of the Sri Lankans deployed as combatants in the Russia-Ukraine conflict on Tuesday.

At least 16 Sri Lankans are reported to have been killed and around 600 likely to have joined as combatants mainly to Russian side, taking risk for higher salary.

Returnees have said hundreds of Sri Lankan ex-soldiers and other are serving in Ukraine-Russia frontlines with most being duped that they were sent for support work as camp helpers.

Sri Lankan ex-soldiers have been recruited by several teams of people on the promise of high salaries for working as camp helpers. Sri Lanka has already arrested two military officers who were involved in one recruitment team.

Returnees from the frontlines around Donetsk oblast has said over 200 Sri Lankans may have died and more are dying from a sophisticated drone warfare unleashed by Ukraine.

Ukraine has developed so-called Kamikaze drones as well as larger one (Baba Yaga) which can shoot RPGs and other weapons at ground targets. (Colombo/May 29/2024)

“We will establish the Sri Lanka Institute of Strategic Studies, which will offer military tactics education to those in the armed services, retirees, and civilians,” Wickremesinghe was quoted as saying by his media division.

“Interested individuals can participate in these programs. This initiative will coincide with the on-going restructuring of the security force.” The President was speaking at the inauguration of the headquarters complex of the Sri Lanka Ex-Servicemen’s Association, ‘Home of Veterans,’ in Battaramulla.

The president said it was undeniable that retirees bore the brunt of the challenges during the recent ‘difficult period’. “We need to explore what concessions can be offered to each sector.”

“We’ve also directed our attention towards those who are retiring from service. It’s crucial for them to explore avenues for creating new sources of income. Regrettably, some have opted to seek opportunities in Russia due to the lack of opportunities domestically.”

“It’s imperative that individuals, according to their capabilities, are provided opportunities to earn a sustainable income, whether within the country or abroad.” Wickremesinghe said the Ministry of Defence and the Ranaviru Seva Authority would collaborate on proposing a special program to address this.

Sri Lanka needs to focus on the future of the armed forces and national security, the President said. “A separate advisory committee has been appointed to develop the necessary security program through 2030.”

“By 2030, we must be prepared to address emerging national security challenges. The responsibilities of the Tri-forces should be clearly defined and the country’s resources should be utilized according to a well-structured plan.

“The establishment of the National Security Council, as highlighted in the Easter Sunday commission, is essential and will be legalized along with the appointment of the Armed Forces Committee.

“While we currently face economic difficulties, we are confident in our ability to recover within the next two years.

“Our retiring military personnel possess unique skills and talents. As the country’s economy continues to develop, it’s essential to offer them new avenues for growth. Today, we have the chance to foster economic development thanks to the sacrifices made by the war heroes of the past.

“Just as in times of war, where swift strategic action is imperative to achieve victory, we must adopt a similar approach in revitalizing our economy.

“Just as in times of war, where prolonging conflict is deemed detrimental and strategic resolution (Shock treatment) is imperative, we must apply similar principles to both warfare and economic development.

“The economic growth resulting from these initiatives holds promise for enhancing people’s income. I extend my gratitude to all retirees for their steadfast efforts and wish the Ex-Servicemen a prosperous future.” (Colombo/May22/2024)

“At the end of one month amnesty period, 15,294 regular and volunteer Army personnel who were absent without leave have been discharged from their Regimental Center,” Major General Rasika Kumara, the Director General of Army Media said in a statement.

“Additionally, arrangements have been made for 373 personel who are currently overseas and absent without leave to legally discharge from the Army during this amnesty period.”

It was not immediately clear if the absentees received their discharge from the service after settling any financial obligations or amounts due, as stated earlier.

State Defence Minister Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon last week said that there have been around 26,000 absentees from the armed forces before the amnesty was announced.

Sri Lanka has already started “right sizing” its army gradually to 100,000 by 2030 from the current 208,000, while it wants to shrink navy to 30,000, and air force to 20,000 from the current numbers, the State Minister has said.

Sri Lanka’s 2024 defence budget of 423 billion rupees has been reduced to 6.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 compared to the last year’s 7.5 percent.

The 2024 budget also announced voluntary retirement for military personnel who had completed 18 years of service.

Soon after the end of a 26-year war against separatist rebels, the defence budget was 13.5 percent of the GDP in 2010. (Colombo/May 21 /2024)

The Defence Ministry last month declared a month long general amnesty from April 20 to May 20 for tri-forces absentees, enabling them to receive an official discharge from their respective services.

Absentees of the army, navy and air force will receive their discharge from military service after they settle any financial obligations or amounts due.

“So far, around 15,000 have come forward to obtain this amnesty,” Tennakoon told reporters in Colombo this week.

There have been around 26,000 absentees from the armed forces, the State Minister said.

“It is normal in any country. But we see a trend of more number of deserters rejoining the tri-forces than deserting in the recent months. This is something we have never seen for a long time,” Tennakoon said.

He said more state resources have been spent on producing military personnel and they have to abide by special military laws.

“Actions will be taken against those who have not reported under such laws,” the State Minister said.

Sri Lanka has already started “right sizing” its army gradually to 100,000 by 2030 from the current 208,000, while it wants to shrink navy to 30,000, and air force to 20,000 from the current numbers, the State Minister has said.

Sri Lanka’s 2024 defence budget of 423 billion rupees has been reduced to 6.5 percent of the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024 compared to the last year’s 7.5 percent.

The 2024 budget also announced voluntary retirement for military personnel who had completed 18 years of service.

Soon after the end of a 26-year war against separatist rebels, the defence budget was 13.5 percent of the GDP in 2010. (Colombo/May 17 /2024)

“We’re collaborating on initiatives to enhance maritime domain awareness, along with bolstering anti-drug trafficking measures, and jointly contributing to a Free and Open Indo Pacific and regional prosperity,” Chung said on X (twitter).

Last month the Mini Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) exercise 2024 concluded in Trincomalee, strengthened maritime cooperation between the two countries further. (Colombo/May16/2024)

Sri Lanka is in the process of reducing a bloated state sector which is estimated at around 1.5 million in a country with 22 million population.

Tri forces (army, navy, air force) and police account for nearly 30 percent of the total state sector employees.

Tennakoon said an expert panel has been appointed to look into the cadres and strength of the tri forces under a strategic plan titled ‘Defence Review 2030’.

“There is an approved cadres 0f 208,000 in the army (as of now). Our expectation is to bring it down to 100,000,” the State Minister said.

“But we don’t expect to remove anybody. We have compiled a natural depreciation plan with the natural reduction in the number of armed force with the retirement. The aim is to maintain a 100,000-member army in 2030.”

Sri Lanka had a large number of military personnel when it ended a 26-year war in 2009.

Military is highly regarded by majority of Sri Lankans after they won the war against Tamil Tiger rebels who are popularly known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and carves for a separate state in the island nation’s North and East.

There was a voluntary retirement schemes (VRS), encouraging military retire earlier than the retirement age. However, the government has been reluctant to reduce the military numbers due to fears of political repercussions.

Tennakoon emphasized the need to improve the capability of navy.

“We need to strengthen both navy and the airforce. We are in a strategic position globally. Our EEZ is eight times larger than our country. So improving the strength of navy is also our objective,” he said.

“When we say improving the strength, it does not necessarily mean to increase the number of sailers. Australia is a large island. According to the information I have, the total number of people in the Australian navy is between 12,000-17,000.”

“We need to improve the technology of our naval force. Our expectation is to use the modern technology.”

Sri Lanka government has been in the process of improving the island nation’s Navy’s capacity in handling foreign research ships, Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told last week.

Sri Lanka’s exclusive economic zone has become a geopolitical hotspot with a cold war between China and Sri Lanka’s neighbour India. (Colombo/May 16/2024)

“We have already spoken to the Russian Ambassador regarding this,” State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya told reporters in Colombo.

“But we will be asking the Russian ambassador to Sri Lanka to help us with some meetings with high-ranking officials.”

The mission may be headed by the Foreign Minister or himself, and will be made up of a former Ambassador to Russia, the Defence Secretary and the Director General of Consular Affairs, he said.

The delegation will be made up of the former Ambassador to Russia Saman Weerasinghe, Defense secretary Kamal Gunarathne, senior officials of the Foreign Ministry.

Returnees have said hundreds of Sri Lankan ex-soldiers and other are serving in Ukraine-Russia frontlines with most being duped that they were sent for support work as camp helpers.

“It is difficult to say how many people,” Minister Balasuriya said. “Our main problem is some people go with visit visa to Russia and some go to other countries like India and then go to Russia.

“Unofficially it is 600 to 800. It can be lower or higher.”

State Minister for Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennakoon said Wednesday that 16 persons have been confirmed killed and family members have lodged complaints about 280 persons who have gone to Russia.

Sri Lankan ex-soldiers have been recruited by several teams of people on the promise of high salaries for working as camp helpers.

Sri Lanka has already arrested two military officers who were involved in one recruitment team.

Returnees from the frontlines around Donetsk oblast has said over 200 Sri Lankans may have died and more are dying from a sophisticated drone warfare unleashed by Ukraine.

Ukraine has developed so-called Kamikaze drones as well as larger one (Baba Yaga) which can shoot RPGs and other weapons at ground targets.

(Colombo/April16/2024)

The presidential election date is expected to be declared after July 17, but the Election Commission has already declared that the polls will be held between September 17 and October 16.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the country’s Defence Minister, is expected to contest under an independent coalition with the support of most parties backing him in the current government, his close allies have said.

Wickremesinghe has launched a national programme to grant unconditional freehold ownership of lands allocated to farmers and low-income earners, titled “Urumaya”.

Granting of “Urumaya” freehold deeds is expected to enhance land value, preserve heritage, and strengthen family economies.

“President presented a cabinet paper to give concession when the lands are given to military personnel,” Tennakoon told a media briefing on Wednesday (15).

“So that they can obtain the lands if they are trying to receive government lands. A special committee has been appointed for this under President’s secretary including the defence secretary as a member. This will go in parallel with Urumaya programme.”

Backing of currently serving military and retired armed forces is vital for any political leader to win a presidency, analysts say.

Sri Lanka’s military is highly regarded among majority of the island nation for winning a 26-year war against the Tamil Tiger separatists popularly known as Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) despite strong human rights violations.  (Colombo/May 16/2024)

The presidential election date is expected to be declared after July 17, but the Election Commission has already declared that the polls will be held between September 17 and October 16.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe, who is also the country’s Defence Minister, is expected to contest under an independent common coalition with the support most parties backing him in the current government, his close allies have said.

Backing of currently serving military and retired armed forces is vital for any political leader to win a presidency, analysts say.

Sri Lanka had around 33,000 members in the Civil Defence Force in 2023 when Wickremesinghe government proposed an early retirement scheme for the entire CDF due to the 20 billion rupee yearly cost of maintaining it amid lack of duties with many staying home earning salaries

“We have decided to provide wages and payments to the service personnel beyond 55 years under Civil Security Department,” Tennakoon told reporters in Colombo at a media briefing on Wednesday (15).

“This means close relative like wife, mother or father of those CDF members who died during the war and those disabled will receive the wage until 55 years.”

“President and Defence Ministry also have focused on those who have are facing economic difficulties after reaching 55 years. Accordingly, we expect to provide the benefits to them,” he said.

“Already died military personnel are receiving these benefits. The CDF not receiving the same benefits is problematic. So, we expect to submit a cabinet paper to obtain the cabinet approval with regard to this.” (Colombo/May 15/2024)

“One is that they provide us with a list of Sri Lankan war heroes (ranaviruvo) engaged in the war,” Kamal Gunaratne told reporters Wednesday. “Then a complete list of the dead, so we can inform their family that their war hero died in that war.”

Sri Lanka has also learnt that there are injured soldiers. “We asked that they repatriate the injured, so we can look after them in our Army Hospital.”

“And finally we asked if they can repatriate the remains of the dead Sri Lankan war heroes, if we can get the ashes even, at least we can give that to their families,” he said.

Gunaratne said the ambassador had promised to look into the appeals.

The retired general also asked others who have not come forward yet to do so with details of those who have gone to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. (Colombo/May15/2024)

Related story
Families complain about 280 Sri Lankans in Russia-Ukraine war, 16 confirmed dead

So far 16 persons have been confirmed dead, he told reporters in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s Defence Ministry set up a hotline for family to members to lodge complaints after a few returnees exposed the deadly conditions facing mostly ex-soldiers who left to fight mainly for Russia.

No bodies recovered

Sri Lanka authorities have confirmed that 16 persons have died, Minister Tennakoon said.

But there was no information on their remains.

Local media reports quoting returnees and social media messages from Sri Lankans fighting in the Russia-Ukraine front said many more were dead from Ukrainian drone attacks.

On Tuesday a group of family members came to the Russian embassy in Colombo.

Sri Lanka’s Derana Television interviewed a woman who said her husband, who had served in the commando regiment had left for Russia on March 05 and last sent her message on March 29 his phone was taken away, and that completed a training course on March 28.

He had promised to call back in ‘a day or two’ but she had not heard from him since.

Another former commando, had later messaged a friend saying that her husband, Vishnu had died in a drone attack and pass the message to her her.

“Vishnu died on April 18,” the friend said according to the message broadcast on Derana Television. “A whole set, a boy called Silva from Galle who came with me, a Special Forces soldier called Chathura and Priyantha from Matara died.”

“A suicide drone hit their amoured car. Only Ratnayake was left.”

“No bodies are recovered. Their bodies are not brought, our bodies are also not brought.”

How Many

Sri Lanka still does not know how many were recruited, though returnees have estimated that 600 to 800 have left since late last year. What was a trickle in the last quarter of 2023 became a flood in 2024, according to returnees.

One returnee said 15 to 20 visas were issued daily by the Russian embassy in Colombo in the week he got his visa.

He was asked whether it was not possible to track from the immigration data base, who left and did not return to the country within a week or two as tourists would normally be expected to do.

“They use different countries to go to Russia so it’s very tricky,” Tennakoon told reporters.

For example, some are leaving for Russia via Dubai he said.

Attempts are being made to bring back those who are injured and those who want to come back, he said.

Related Hundreds of Sri Lankans hospitalised in Russia-Ukraine war; legislator seeks special envoy

“Russia is a very important friend to us, so is Ukraine,” Tennakoon said. “It’s a diplomatic process and the foreign ministry is handling it.”

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry said that since Sri Lankans are recruited by mercenary companies it was difficult to negotiate with them.

Sri Lanka has already arrested two military officers who are running a recruitment team.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe invited former minister Dayasiry Jayasekera and Gamini Waleboda PM to the recent Security Council meeting. They both provided the information they had with them and that will be used for the investigations going forward.

Returnees said there were several teams recruiting, who were charging various amounts ranging from 350,000 to 1.6 million rupees before their were sent to the war front. (Colombo/May15/2024)

The State Minister’s comments come a month after Indian arm manufacturers demonstrated Delhi’s capability in arm manufacturing to Sri Lankan military at a seminar while the island nation has been expecting for future joint collaboration in weapon production and military services.

“We are in discussion with India to set up a small arms manufacturing unit,” Tennakoon told reporters at a media briefing in Colombo on Wednesday (15).

“What you have to understand is the Indian defence manufacturing arm has boomed during the last two decades. It is a model that we have to look into. We can take a lot from Indian model and nothing wrong in learning from them. I think we also should get into the manufacturing,” he said.

Sri Lankan military defeated Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) with annihilating all the top rebel leaders in after a 26-year civil war.

India, which strongly backed LTTE by providing arms and training in the early stage of the war, took a complete U-turn and helped Sri Lanka military in the final stage of the war.

Defence analysts say Sri Lanka’s military tactics in winning the war has been marred by local and international allegations over human rights violations in the final phase of the war that ended in May 2009.

ALREADY MANUFACTURING

State Minister Tennakoon said Sri Lankan military is already into arms manufacturing.

“We are already doing it, but the scale is not what we expect it to be,” he said.

“So, we are in touch with our Indian counterparts and so much we can take from Indians little help we also can do wonders. So those discussions are ongoing at the moment.”

Tennakoon also said the military connectivity between India and Sri Lanka is at a high.

India’s privately owned defence companies on April 10 demonstrated the capability they have developed in manufacturing arms and other products including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), latest drones, and latest earth movers used in war zones.

The delegation comprised representatives from Indian Defence companies including Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Zen Technologies, SSS Defence, Bharat Forge, Big Bang Boom Solutions, AWEL, AVNL, Mahindra Defence, Sager Defence and TATA Advances System Ltd.

Tennakoon said the event was an annual one amid discussions to set up a local manufacturing unit.

India’s defence exports have expanded by 10 folds to nearly $2.6 billion over the past five years, Indian High Commission in Colombo has said.

Since the end of the Sri Lankan war, India has been increasingly involved with the island nation’s armed forces, providing trainings and conducting joint military exercises with a special focus on maritime security after China increased its footprint in Sri Lanka.

The Indian government has committed supply of Floating Dock, Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre and Dornier aircraft to ensure capacity building of Sri Lanka Armed Forces.

Sri Lanka has been looking for collaboration to earn foreign exchange in all sectors including military since an unprecedented economic crisis in 2022 which forced the country to default sovereign debts.

Since then, the island nation has yet to pay its private and bilateral external creditors. (Colombo/May 15/2024)

At the moment there is no Sri Lanka ambassador in Russia.

“If we can, send a special envoy from the President to Russia, and discuss with the Defence Secretary at least to bring back the injured in Russian hospitals,” Jayasekera who was one of the first legislators to bring attention to the growing recruitment of Sri Lankan ex-soldiers for Russia’s war.

“There are many injured Sri Lankans in Russia. Some have lost their fingers, in others legs have been cut (kakul kaperla).

“Then we can secondly bring back the people in the camps. There is a diplomatic intervention that is needed. We need some plan to bring back the 600 or so people who are there.”

One Sri Lanka ex-soldier estimated that 200 to 300 Sri Lankans may be treated in Russian hospitals at the moment and about 200 may have died. Up to 800 or more Sri Lankans – mainly ex-soldiers – may have left the country to fight for Russia, he said.

Related Over 200 Sri Lanka ex-soldiers dead in Russia-Ukraine frontline as drone fodder, escapee says

How Many?

Authorities are still trying to find out how many left for Russia and Ukraine.

Assistant Superintend Harendrda Janakantha of the Human Trafficking and Maritime Crimes unit of Sri Lanka’s Criminal Investigation Department told Derana Television last week that they confirmed that 60 Sri Lankans have left for Russia and 54 tried to leave for Ukraine, and 23 made it.

“People can say that there are 800 to 1,000,” Janakantha said. “May be that is also possible. But so far these are numbers we have confirmed through our investigations.

So far only three are confirmed to have returned, he said.

“There is information that that about 700 to 800 have left,” Senior Superintended Nihal Thalduwa said.

“But we cannot say that. We are still investigating. We have only recently started the investigation.

“Large numbers (visharler sankyawak) are injured and large numbers have died.”

A retired Major General who was involved in an recruitment drive has already been arrested.

Shadowy PMCs

Several Private Military Companies (PMCs) including Wagner, at one time headed by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who who was killed in a plane crash shortly after a mutiny against Russian President Vladimir Putin are recruiting convicts and foreigners to fight the war against Ukraine.

All Wagner fighters who are willing to continue to fight for Russia were given new contracts, reports said at the time.

Several other shadowy PMCs including Redut, believed to be under Russian intelligence agency GRU, are recruiting mercenaries, according to western media reports.

Ukrainian researchers who interviewed captured mercenaries and seized documents left behind in regained territories found that mercenaries were promised a salary of 200,000 roubles (about 653,000 rupees at current exchange rates), 25,000 dollar for grave injury and 60,000 compensation for death.

Sri Lanka returnee have said salaries of 700,000 rupees Sri Lanka a month or more but the promised amount has not been given.

The mercenary firms are financed by the Russian defence ministry and according to Western reports, and are set up to provide veneer of distance and deniability.

After his mutiny Wagner fighters were given a chance to sign fresh contracts with the Russian Defence Ministry, reports said at the time.

When Prigozhin was alive, Wagner was said be recruiting mercenaries including convicts on 6-month contracts, after which they were set free.

But Sri Lankans who have now come back to the country say they have been recruited on 12-month contracts.

A BBC report said half of prisoners recruited when Prigozhin lived at least 4 months before dying in combat. However half of those recruited by the Russian Defence Ministry died within three months.

Prigozhin went public had he had lost 22,000 fighters in taking back Bakmut from Ukraine.

Suicide Missions

An escaped soldier who was interviewed on Sri Lanka’s Derana television said there was no medivac process to recover injured foreign mercenaries and they had to crawl back to Russian position on their own as drones rained fire on them as soon as they moved.

If they got back, they were taken to hospital, given a one-month break and send back to the front, one escaped soldier said.

One soldier described the operations as ‘suicide missions’ done under drone fire with little outside support.

The escaped fighter was serving in the Donetsk region which has Russian speakers, which declared independence and was is operating as a separate republic loosely annexed to Russia.

Several teams were recruiting people from Sri Lanka charging between 350,000 to 1.6 million rupees according to what returnees say.

State Minister for Defence Pramith Tennakoon said Jayasekera and Gamini Valeboda, another legislator who had helped bring national attention to the plight of the Sri Lankan took part in a National Security Council meeting at the invitation of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.

“Instructions were given immediately to the forces to take action,” Tennakoon said. “As a result several arrests were made.”

Sri Lanka has already arrested a retired Major-General and a Sergeant Major several who who are suspected to have recruited Sri Lankan ex-soldiers.

Sri Lankan retired soldiers are made various false promises including Russian citizenship, a piece of land in St Petersberg as well as high salaries and sign up bonuses of 2.0 million rupees, he said. (Colombo/May14/2024)

Families of those concerned have been requested to provide pertinent information to the special unit via telephone number 0112441146.

The Ministry requests that “family members of the concerned provide information about retired Sri Lankan military personnel who have joined the Russia-Ukraine war via various routes, including the dates of their departure, persons and institutions that had coordinated their passages,” a statement by the Ministry said.

“The Defence Secretary also requests the general public to provide information about individuals involved in human trafficking, those who support it and any relevant information related to the above phone number.”

“As this is done to safeguard the safety of Sri Lankan citizens, everyone is encouraged to pay special attention and provide information in this regard.

Read more
Over 200 Sri Lanka ex-soldiers dead in Russia-Ukraine frontline as drone fodder, escapee says

Sri Lanka ex-soldiers recruited by multiple teams were dying in their hundreds in the killing fields of the Russia-Ukraine border amid drone warfare, according to a fighter who escaped the region. (Colombo/May10/2024)

President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s government has temporarily halted foreign research ships after strong security concerns raised by neighbour India and the United States following the visit of two Chinese research vessels in 14 months.

Sabry said Sri Lanka has banned foreign ships for research purpose though they have use the island nation’s ports for replenishments and crew changes.

“What we basically say is not a ban, but a moratorium for a year that until we expand our capacity and build our capacity to understand what is necessary, for which we have appointed a committee. We will have a temporary pause for this particular year for all marine research activity,” he said at a media briefing on Wednesday.

“In the meantime, our navy is building its own capacity. That’s why we made a request to the Japanese to give us a beachcraft to monitor. Those authorities have agreed on that. \So that will give our navy the ability also to do their own research and then once they start working with collaboration with foreign countries.”

“They will act as equal partners to understand the gravity of it subject to that we only allow ports of call. Ports of call, we will continue to allow without a research component.”

Chinese Embassy in Colombo raised strong protest against the move to allow a German research vessel early in March following the island nation’s authorities turned down a Beijing request for a research vessel in February.

When the ban was announced, the government failed to specifically reveal its stance on requests for replenishment or crew change for foreign research vessels.

Sri Lanka is in the process of introducing a SOP (Standard Operation Procedure) for handling foreign research vessels and to improve the capacity of relevant officials in handling foreign research ships.

Two Chinese research ships were allowed to dock in Sri Lanka ports within 14 months through November 2023 with one called for replenishment and the other for research.

Chinese research ship Shi Yan 6 arrived in Sri Lanka in October 2023 and docked in Colombo port, for what Beijing citing was for “geophysical scientific research” in collaboration with the island nation’s National Aquatic Resources Research and Development Agency (NARA).

In August 2022, Chinese navy vessel Yuan Wang 5 docked at Hambantota in southern Sri Lanka for replenishment.

Both drew strong Indian protests citing security concerns in the Indian Ocean.

India uses the Colombo port as its main transshipment hub and accounts for around 70 percent of the total transshipment volume of the port. (Colombo/May 09/2024)

Over 200 Sri Lankan ex-soldiers are believed to have died and a similar number are being treated in hospitals in regions like Donetsk, he said in an interview broadcast by Sri Lanka’s Derana Television.

The ex-soldier said he went to Russia after paying 1.6 million to a recruiting team made up of retired senior military officers, to be a ‘camp helper’ providing support services for its military.

The kingpin behind the recruitment operation appeared to be an Indian national named Ramesh, he said. They were also received in Russia by a Tamil speaker, he said.

Sri Lankans who arrived on tourist visas and were then asked to sign a contract in the Russian language for the ‘Wagnet’ (sic) mercenary group supervised by an Indian lady who appeared to be a lawyer who assured them that it was a one-year camp helper contract.

Escalating Recruitment Op

He and 33 other Sri Lankans were then taken to a camp in Rostov where they underwent a 14-day training course. There were about 70 Sri Lankans in the training camp at the time he was there.

He had learned that around 600 to 700 Sri Lankan may have been taken to Russia over the past year, most of them in the past three or four months.

About 200 to 300 are believed to have died and a similar number are in hospitals in areas like Donetsk, he said.

There were a larger number of mercenaries from countries like Cuba. Foreign mercenaries outnumbered Russians by about 7 to 1 in his unit.

The recruitment process had gathered pace in the last three months, after only 3 or 4 were believed to have been recruited each month last year, he said.

Daily 10 to 15 tourist visas were being issued in Colombo by the Russian embassy, he said. The passports came back with the stamped visa within a week and they were dispatched to Russia in the next two days.

Sri Lanka’s Foreign Minister Ali Sabry told reports Wednesday that there was no official count of citizens fighting for Russia or Ukraine, but attempts were being made to help them.

“We don’t know,” Minister Sabry told reporters. “None of them go through formal or official channels.

“So your guess is as good as mine.

“We are trying to see what we can do wherever possible. We can deal with the government of any other country. We are being asked to deal with a mercenary group which is not a formal government. It’s a very difficult task.”

Cash Extraction

The soldier said he had to pay 1.6 million rupees to his recruiters on the promise of high salaries while sending ex-soldiers to almost certain death. He learned from fellow Sri Lankans that other recruitment teams charged less.

Some had been charged 350,000 rupees, while others were charged 1 million. It was not clear whether other recruiters told the ex-soldiers that they would have to go to the frontlines.

When his group protested that they were hired as camp helpers and refused to take up active duty, the Russian officials had said they had to go to the frontlines as a one year contract had been signed.

At the mercenary camp he was told that recruiters were paid the equivalent of 2.5 million Sri Lanka rupees for each person sent to Russia.

His group was then broken up into three teams and sent to the frontlines.

He was shifted around four camps where he encountered Sri Lankan soldiers who also showed him dog tags from dead colleagues. Families back home were apparently not informed of their death, he said.

At the frontline, the Russian soldiers were psyched up on the drug ‘ice’, apparently to maintain their fighting spirit and Sri Lankans were not in a position to refuse to go to battle any longer for fear of being shot out of hand, he said.

Drone Fodder

That night they were ordered to take over a Ukrainian ammunition dump but he refused to go without knowing about the terrain. After his insistence, he was taken to a signals room where terrain was shown to him through a drone camera.

Asked about possible risks to guard against he was informed that there were only drones and snipers and not to worry.

As soon as they stepped out of the bunker, five Ukrainian drones hit them and one Sri Lankan was hit and they jumped back in.

The fallen Sri Lankan was heard screaming and groaning in pain but no one helped him. He then went out with another Sri Lankan colleague under drone fire and dragged the wounded fighter back into the bunker. He learned later that the wounded person was in hospital.

They were then pushed out of the bunker and told to take the ammo dump. They entered the ammunition going through open ground under drone fire, where one person died and a Pakistani was wounded.

Killing Fields

They gave him what first aid as they could with the medical kits they had and also injections that they had to relieve his pain.

After four days they were asked to return and leave one soldier with the Pakistani fighter. An older Sri Lankan fighter who was also slightly wounded elected to stay with him.

When they returned to the Russian lines braving drones, they were sent 1.5 kilometers back from the frontline to rest and return for a second operation in the night. They were fed and kept under armed guard.

The Sri Lankan ex-soldier and two others then escaped in the night while going to the toilet by distracting the sentry. He later learned that his two friends were captured.

The Russian used drones to track escapees and re-capture them. He however lay low and later managed to escape to Moscow with the help of Russians and Ukrainians in the Donetsk region and contact the Sri Lankan embassy.

He said he decided to speak out to stop others from falling into the same trap. Sri Lankans were also fighting for Ukraine, he said. (Colombo/May09/2024)

Justice has to be dispensed by court after a fair trial and the minister’s remarks are against the constitutional rights of the public, BASL said in a statement.

According to media reports, the Minister asserted, ‘Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing, and we stand by you.’

“The Minister’s statement perpetuates a dangerous misconception that justice, sentencing, and punishment lie beyond the purview of the judiciary and can be administered arbitrarily, without adherence to due process,” BASL said.

Full statement issued by BASL:

Resolution passed by Bar Council calling for the Minister of Public Security to retract recent statement: and requesting his excellency the President to reassign the portfolio of Public Security

At its council meeting held on April 27th, 2024, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka denounced the recent statement issued by the Minister responsible for Public Security at the Katukurunda STF training camp’s passing out parade, which garnered widespread attention across various media platforms.

According to media reports, the Minister asserted, ‘Eliminating criminals from the country is not a sin. Don’t be afraid to use the weapon in your hand for the right thing, and we stand by you.’

The BASL expresses grave concern over the aforementioned statement, deeming it in direct contradiction to the fundamental principles enshrined in the Constitution and the established procedures governing the criminal justice system. The dispensation of justice, including the imposition of penalties upon wrongdoers, is exclusively within the jurisdiction of the courts as mandated by the Constitution. Such actions must adhere strictly to due process, including thorough investigations and fair trials conducted in accordance with the law.

Given the alarming increase in extrajudicial killings, custodia aths, and incidents of torture perpetrated by law enforcement in recent times, the Minister’s statement perpetuates a dangerous misconception that justice, sentencing, and punishment lie beyond the purview of the judiciary and can be administered arbitrarily, without adherence to due process.

The recurring pattern of irresponsible, arbitrary, and misleading remarks by the Minister underscores the urgent need for corrective action. As a custodian of public security, the Minister is duty-bound to serve the interests of the populace. However, the repeated dissemination of such misguided messages not only undermines public trust but also misguides law enforcement personnel.

Therefore, the Bar Association of Sri Lanka emphatically calls for the immediate retraction of the Minister’s statement. The BASL calls upon His Excellency the President to forthwith remove Minister Tiran Alles from the portfolio of Public Security as he, by his repeated statements encouraging impunity and callous disregard for the rule of law, demonstrates that he is no longer suitable to hold that office. Furthermore, the BASL reaffirms the sacrosanct principle that the authority to mete out punishment must remain vested solely in the courts, operating within the bounds of established legal procedures.

Additionally, the BASL reiterates the fundamental right of every individual accused of an offense to undergo a fair and diligent investigation and to receive a fair trial, as guaranteed by the law and international conventions adhered to by any civilized legal system.

Raisi will inaugurate the irrigation and hydropower project that was designed and built by Iranian engineering firm. The project was initially financed by Tehran before U.S. sanctions hit the project.

Raisi’s visit comes 10 days after Iran unleashed a barrage of missiles and drones targeting Israel in retaliation for April 1’s suspected Israeli strike on its consulate in Damascus, which killed 13 people.

A special security programme and traffic plan have been in place on Wednesday (24) for President Raisi’s visit, Police Spokesman Nihal Thalduwa said.

The special security plan will be implemented with the support of elite police force and armed forces.

Police Spokesman said the expressway leading to the airport will be closed from 2-3 pm and 9:30-10:30 pm on Wednesday (24) to facilitate the drive of President Raisi.

The security plan also includes closure of many roads in Colombo, Thalduwa said.

President Raisi will arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (24) at 9 am at Mattala airport for the official visit on an invitation by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. (Colombo/April 24/2024)