Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath revealed in Parliament on February 7, 2025, that 59 Sri Lankans who joined the Russian army to fight in the Ukraine war have died. The minister disclosed this information while responding to a question raised by Ilankai Tamil Arasu Katchi (ITAK) MP Sivagnanam Sridharan.
Total Number of Sri Lankans in the Russian Army
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that 554 Sri Lankans have enlisted in the Russian army.
“According to information received by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, the number of Sri Lankans recruited into the Russian military service is reported to be 554. However, there are no confirmed reports of anyone being forcibly recruited into the Russian military service.”
“According to reports received through the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia, it has been confirmed that as of January 20, 2025, 59 Sri Lankans have died. I am placing the names of those 59 deceased individuals in the Hansard record.”
“Through communication between the two countries, several efforts have been made and continue to be made to rescue these individuals and bring them back to Sri Lanka.”
“Furthermore, the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia has been instructed to provide necessary facilities for those who have joined the Russian army to maintain contact with their relatives in Sri Lanka.”
Recruitment of Sri Lankans from the Northern Province
MP Sivagnanam Sridharan stated in Parliament that several people from families residing in the Northern Province have joined the Russian army and requested the government take necessary measures to rescue them.
In response, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath stated that information about these individuals should be provided to the authorities and assured that necessary action would be taken accordingly.
Sri Lankans’ Involvement in the Russia-Ukraine War
The recruitment of Sri Lankans into the Russian-Ukrainian war first gained significant attention in late 2023, following the deaths of three Sri Lankans, including former Commando Regiment captain Ranish Hewage, in Ukraine.
In early 2024, 17 Sri Lankans returned from Russia, sparking renewed debate about the recruitment of Sri Lankans into foreign military conflicts.
Investigation into Recruitment
An investigation into the involvement of Sri Lankans in the Russia-Ukraine war revealed that some were sent to Russia by Colombo-based foreign employment agencies, under the pretense of working in civilian roles within the Russian military.
However, those who went later discovered that they were being recruited for combat roles instead of civilian jobs. Recruitment handouts from Russia, written in Russian, detailed attractive benefits offered to recruits.
One Sri Lankan, who managed to return, confirmed that recruits were not pressured to join the army and that some were allowed to return because the recruiters lacked sufficient documentation.
Human Trafficking and Government Response
Following their return to Sri Lanka, several individuals were arrested on suspicion of human trafficking in connection with the recruitment of Sri Lankans into the Russia-Ukraine war.
During a press conference, when questioned about the issue, the Russian Ambassador to Sri Lanka stated that he “should be allowed” to investigate further.
Government Measures to Track Sri Lankans in Foreign Conflicts
In May 2024, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Defense established a special unit to gather information on Sri Lankans deployed in the Russia-Ukraine war.
Former Foreign Minister Ali Sabri, who served under the previous government, stated that rescuing Sri Lankans involved in Russian mercenary forces was not an easy task but assured that all possible efforts were being made to bring them back safely.
Source :- BBC SINHALA
