14 Sri Lankans rescued from cybercrime centres in Myanmar

Tuesday, 18 March 2025 03:25 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Ministry, in coordination with the Sri Lankan Embassies in Myanmar and Thailand and with the support of the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand, successfully facilitated the rescue of 14 Sri Lankans who had been trafficked and forcibly employed in cybercrime centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar. The 14 Sri Lankans are scheduled to be repatriated to Sri Lanka today (18).

This development follows sustained diplomatic efforts made by Sri Lanka, including recent telephone conversations with Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Union Minister U Than Swe on 3 February 2024 and Thailand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa on 13 February 2025 by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath. In both engagements, Minister Herath emphasised the need for urgent assistance for the rescue and repatriation of the trafficked Sri Lankan nationals.

The Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Ministry expresses its sincere appreciation to the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand for their invaluable assistance in the rescue and safe repatriation of the trafficked Sri Lankans. Appreciation is also extended to the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) for the provision of international air passage and internal transportation and other International Non-Governmental Organisations in Myanmar for welfare assistance provided during this process.

The Ministry remains committed to securing the rescue and repatriation of the remaining trafficked Sri Lankans, with continued support from Myanmar and Thai authorities and in collaboration with the Sri Lankan Embassies in Thailand and Myanmar.

The Ministry strongly urges the public to remain vigilant against human trafficking schemes when seeking foreign employment. Sri Lankans are advised to strictly adhere to Government-approved procedures and verify job opportunities with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before securing foreign employment.