14 Lankans trapped in Myanmar cybercrime centres repatriated
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka was on Tuesday (18) set to repatriate 14 nationals who were trafficked and forcibly employed in cybercrime centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar, following coordinated diplomatic efforts, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism announced.
In a statement issued on Monday, the ministry said the rescue operation was facilitated by the Sri Lankan Embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, with critical support from the governments of Myanmar and Thailand, adding that the successful intervention follows sustained diplomatic negotiations, including direct discussions between Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath and senior officials from Myanmar and Thailand.
The statement also noted that on February 3, 2025, Minister Herath held a telephone conversation with Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Than Swe, requesting urgent action to assist the trafficked Sri Lankans. A follow-up discussion was held with Thailand’s Foreign Minister, Maris Sangiampongsa, on February 13, 2025, further emphasizing Sri Lanka’s call for immediate intervention, it added.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, while expressing gratitude to the governments of Myanmar and Thailand for their invaluable assistance in securing the rescue and safe return of the trafficked individuals, also acknowledged the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for providing international air travel and internal transportation, as well as other international NGOs in Myanmar for their welfare support during the process.
Efforts are ongoing to secure the rescue and repatriation of other trafficked Sri Lankans still stranded in Myanmar, with continued collaboration from Thai and Myanmar authorities and Sri Lanka’s diplomatic missions in the region, the ministry said.
It also issued a strong public warning against human trafficking schemes and advised Sri Lankans seeking foreign employment to follow government-approved procedures. Prospective job seekers have also been urged to verify job offers with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to avoid falling victim to fraudulent recruitment operations.
-ENCL
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