(COLOMBO) – The Sri Lankan Government is to inform the country’s Parliament on Thursday (April 25) of an alleged racket involving the recruitment of former soldiers to fight as mercenaries in the Ukraine-Russia war.
Sri Lanka’s Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe told the House on Wednesday that the local police had received information that several individuals were engaged in rackets where Sri Lankans were being sent to Russia and Ukraine with the promise of lucrative employment but end up on the front lines of the battle field.
“The police had launched an investigation into the issue while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also looking into the matter”, he said.
Rajapakshe was responding to a question raised by Opposition MP Dayasiri Jayasekara, who said that a massive racket is being operated in the country to recruit Sri Lankan ex-servicemen to the Russian and Ukraine army to fight in the war, whereas they had been promised jobs as general camp helpers.
He said the racketeers charge around Rs. 1.8 million from an individual to offer jobs in Russia and Ukraine.
The MP urged the Government to reveal the number of Sri Lankans that have been recruited to the Russian and Ukraine armies in this manner and what action would be taken against this racket.
Justice Minister Rajapakshe said that Public Security Minister Tiran Alles will make a statement in the House tomorrow (April, 25).
Several persons including a former senior army officer and several TV actresses have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the mercenary scam but investigators are convinced that they are only the tip of the iceberg and that the racket could be more widespread.
Police have also found out that the mercenaries are offered a monthly salary of US$ 3,000 and with the possibility of obtaining citizenship either in Russia or Ukraine.
At least five Sri Lankans have so far known to have died on either side of the Ukraine-Russian war.
