Sri Lanka Seeks Release of Ex-Soldiers Fighting for Russia and POWs in Ukraine

Sri Lanka's foreign ministry is working to secure the release of hundreds of its ex-soldiers who are fighting for Russia in Ukraine, including around 10-12 prisoners of war held by Ukraine. This initiative comes amid reports of 16 Sri Lankans killed in Ukraine and 455 ex-soldiers recruited illegally to fight for Russia.

The Sri Lankan government has identified 455 ex-soldiers who have traveled to fight for Russia, with 37 of them wounded. State Minister for Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya emphasized the government's commitment to stopping Sri Lankans from going to Russia and Ukraine, stating, "We want to stop Sri Lankans going to Russia and Ukraine."

A delegation from Sri Lanka will visit Russia in June to negotiate the discharge of the ex-soldiers. President Ranil Wickremesinghe is also set to speak with his Ukrainian counterpart to plead for the release of the Sri Lankan prisoners of war. Balasuriya noted, "We are trying to get them released."

The Sri Lankan police have launched an investigation into illegal recruitment for the conflict. Two retired generals have been arrested for acting as recruiting agents for Russian mercenary firms. Balasuriya stated, "If Sri Lankans are under threat and are in a dangerous situation, the duty of the government ... is to ensure that they are safely returned back."

Why this matters: This matter highlights the complexities of international conflicts and their impact on individual nations and their citizens. If not addressed, it could lead to further exploitation of citizens and escalate tensions between nations.

The Russian ambassador to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan, stated that Moscow is investigating the matter but declined to provide further details. He questioned why the focus was only on Sri Lankans fighting for Russia and not on those fighting for Ukraine, highlighting what he described as double standards.

The issue of illegal recruitment has also affected other countries in the region, such as India and Nepal, where citizens have been lured with promises of high salaries and other benefits. The situation highlights the broader challenges faced by these nations in protecting their citizens from exploitation.

Sri Lanka's efforts to bring back its ex-soldiers and prisoners of war reflect a broader responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. The government's ongoing negotiations prioritize preventing further illegal recruitment and addressing the underlying economic conditions that make such offers tempting.

Key Takeaways

• Sri Lanka seeks to release 10-12 prisoners of war held by Ukraine and 455 ex-soldiers fighting for Russia.
• 37 Sri Lankan ex-soldiers are wounded, and 16 have been killed in Ukraine.
• A delegation will visit Russia in June to negotiate the discharge of ex-soldiers.
• Two retired generals have been arrested for illegal recruitment for Russian mercenary firms.
• Sri Lanka aims to prevent further illegal recruitment and address underlying economic conditions.