In a dramatic diplomatic breakthrough, the last 15 Sri Lankans known to be held in cybercrime trafficking camps in Myanmar were rescued and released today (06), marking the end of a harrowing saga that gripped the nation for months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the release in an official statement, crediting a high-level operation involving Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand, and the Thai government.
The group, held against their will in the Myawaddy region of Myanmar near the Thailand border, was handed over to Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, during a coordinated effort supported by Thai authorities and embassy officials.
This final rescue follows tireless diplomatic negotiations between Sri Lanka’s Minister Vijitha Herath, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, and Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Than Swe. Minister Herath praised the collective effort of the Thai and Myanmar governments, the International Organization for Migration, and NGOs that supported the mission through transport and humanitarian aid.
This latest batch brings the total number of Sri Lankans rescued from the Myanmar cybercrime network to 56. Previously, 14 were brought home in March and 27 in December 2024.
With the camps finally emptied of Sri Lankan nationals, families and officials alike are breathing a sigh of relief though the shadow of transnational cybercrime trafficking still looms large.
