14 Sri Lankans rescued from cybercrime centers in Myanmar

Colombo, March 18 (Daily Mirror) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in coordination with Sri Lanka's Embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, and with support from the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand, has facilitated the rescue of 14 Sri Lankans who were trafficked and forcibly employed in cybercrime centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar.

The Ministry said that these individuals are scheduled to be repatriated to Sri Lanka on 18th March 2025.

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

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism 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 Organization for Migration (IOM) for provision of international air passage and internal transportation and other International Non-Governmental Organizations in Myanmar for welfare assistance provided during this process.