More information is being revealed about the human trafficking of sending Sri Lankan retired soldiers to the Russo-Ukraine war.
According to the Criminal Investigation Department, 14 Sri Lankans have died on the Russian battlefield.
According to the investigations carried out by the Criminal Investigation Department, it has now been revealed with evidence that about 114 former Sri Lankan soldiers have left the country to join the Ukrainian war.
However, several people who have gone to Russia after being caught by human traffickers have indicated that around 800 Sri Lankans are with the Russian military forces.
114 Sri Lankans in the Russian-Ukrainian war zone
The Criminal Investigation Department has pointed out that while there have been claims that many people have left the country to go to Russia, there is no concrete evidence to support this yet.
However, Assistant Superintendent of Police Narendra Jayakantha, who is in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department’s Trafficking in Persons, Smuggling and Maritime Crime Investigation Division, has confirmed that 60 individuals have left to go to Russia and another 54 to Ukraine.
He added that the investigation is ongoing; the exact details have not yet been revealed.
Information that 23 Sri Lankans have gone to Ukraine through Poland
The Assistant Superintendent of Police has informed us that a group of people have travelled to India intending to go to Ukraine. Of those, 23 individuals went to Poland and then proceeded to Ukraine.
He also mentioned that three individuals who had gone to Russia had returned to the island.
The government has requested the public to provide information about their relatives who have gone to the Russia-Ukraine war.
To facilitate this, 0718-592831 telephone numbers have been provided. The society is responding well to this request.
Answers to the police from three fugitives
Three individuals who escaped Russia have provided statements to the Criminal Investigation Department. They have revealed that soldiers injured in battle are sent back to the battlefield.
These soldiers have stated that they joined the war due to financial difficulties and participated without knowing much about it. Upon arriving in Russia, a group of them were taken to a forest and left there, which they describe as a suicidal experience.
These soldiers claim that they never had the chance to even think about returning home and were constantly attacked by drones during their time on the battlefield.
Six Sri Lankans have died
It has also been revealed in the investigation that 06 Sri Lankans who were sent to the Russian-Ukraine war by human traffickers have died.
Police Media Spokesman DIG Advocate Nihal Talduwa has indicated that it has been decided to carry out more extensive investigations related to this matter.
The reason for the need for a mercenary army
The war began on February 24, 2022, when Russian troops invaded Ukraine. Despite Russia’s promise to end the war quickly, it turned out to be a long and gruelling process, resulting in the deaths of thousands of people.
Russia and Ukraine are now faced with the challenge of strengthening their military forces.
Both sides have decided to hire mercenaries from different countries to win the war. Unfortunately, this decision has led to a situation where even Sri Lankans have become victims of the war.
Captain Ranish – the first death of a Sri Lankan
Captain Ranish Hevage, a soldier who fought for Ukraine, lost his life due to Russian attacks.
It was only after this incident that it was revealed that Sri Lankan citizens had also been involved in this conflict.
Following Captain Hevage’s death, information about Sri Lankans’ involvement in the war began to surface.
Moreover, investigations to identify individuals who were directly involved in human trafficking and sending Sri Lankans to work in the Russian army are now being conducted more extensively.
The Criminal Investigation Department has indicated that a major general and a sergeant suspected of being involved in the racket were apprehended in the Kurunegala Wevarauma area.
During the investigation, it was discovered that the list of retired army officers had been obtained from the army headquarters by these two suspects.
