Sri Lanka has called for compensation for 17 Sri Lankans killed in action in Russia, according to the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Russia on Thursday (27th).
The issue was a key focus during a high-level visit by a parliamentary delegation led by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya. The delegation held two days of discussions with Russian officials, including Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrey Rudenko and Deputy Minister of Defence Colonel General A. V. Fomin.
“The discussions centered on the 17 Sri Lankans killed in action, payment of compensation for the deceased and wounded, the plight of uncontactable Lankans, possibilities of voluntary returns, early termination of contracts, and regularisation of remuneration,” the embassy said in a statement.
During the meeting, Sri Lanka proposed establishing a joint working committee comprising officials from both sides to meet regularly to address issues and concerns of the deployed Sri Lankans. Both sides agreed to continue engagements on these matters.
The delegation led by Minister Balasuriya included Members of Parliament Dayasiri Jayasekera and Gamini Waleboda, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence General G. D. H. Kamal Gunaratne, Sri Lanka’s Charge d’Affaires to the Russian Federation Ambassador P. M. Amza, Additional Solicitor General Harippriya Jayasundara, Director General of Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sisira Senavirathne, former Ambassador Dr. Saman Weerasinghe, and officials from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia.
Sri Lanka reported over 450 complaints of mercenaries departing to both Russia and Ukraine. The government blamed foreign employment agencies for conducting a people-smuggling racket. Several retired military officers and foreign employment agency personnel are currently remanded in connection with the racket.
— With Agencies Inputs
