Sun, 19 May 2024 Today's Paper

Defence Secretary warns Sri Lankan war heroes against smugglers

7 May 2024 11:17 pm - 6     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, May 7 (Daily Mirror) - Defence Secretary Kamal Gunaratne requested Sri Lanka's war heroes not to become victims of human smugglers who are recruiting people to serve in the armed forces on the Russian-Ukrain war front.

He revealed that Sri Lanka's war heroes are being lured by false promises to join the armed forces in the Russia-Ukrain conflict. 

"These promises include offers of land in Saint Petersburg, Russian citizenship for their families and monthly salaries exceeding Rs.1 million. However, these promises remain unfulfilled, with no compensation provided for deceased war heroes and their families. Many Sri Lankan soldiers have already been sent to the conflict zone, resulting in casualties and injuries, whose extent remains unknown.

General Gunaratne clarified that these soldiers were not legally recruited but rather coerced into serving as mercenaries. He urged war heroes to avoid falling prey to these human smugglers. 

Additionally, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID), the Police Department and intelligence services have initiated a search operation to apprehend the human smugglers involved in recruiting Sri Lankan war heroes as mercenaries for the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. 

Several smugglers have already been arrested and will be prosecuted accordingly.


  Comments - 6

  • kondaya77 Wednesday, 08 May 2024 12:10 AM

    War heroes? They are soldiers who fought in the war and the srilankan government promptly forgot to look after these veterans.

    A citizen Wednesday, 08 May 2024 10:02 AM

    Do you have any relations or friends among those war veterans to justify your statement? Do you know that there are plenty of war veterans, both males and females, who are gainfully employed in this country, including disabled veterans? Are you aware that there are three state institutions providing round-the-clock care to severely disabled war veterans, including facilities for their families to spend time with them? Please check your facts before posting blanket statements. (I have both relations and acquaintances who are war veterans, including some who are still serving and some who are disabled as well.)

    Sachith Wednesday, 08 May 2024 08:39 AM

    Its your duty to prevent such smuggling rackets. Just a reminder, you have all necessary authority to take actions against these smugglers.

    Bannis Mama Wednesday, 08 May 2024 09:28 AM

    Hay Kamal now you are a slave to RW, stop advising others. For wealth and power you guys will do anything.

    Martin Wednesday, 08 May 2024 10:12 AM

    We need foreign reserves and these people have no jobs to do in Sri Lanka

    Eranda Wednesday, 08 May 2024 11:52 AM

    Pakaya, you are also aiding and abetting looting sri lanka


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment