‘We Are Doing Everything Possible to Rescue Sri Lankans Trapped in Myanmar' - Foreign Minister

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, addressed the ongoing crisis involving Sri Lankan citizens trapped in a region of Myanmar outside government control. 

The minister acknowledged the complexity of the situation, citing the lack of direct contact with the rebels controlling the area.

"We are continuing to do everything that is possible in a pragmatic way," Sabry said. "We are also in a very difficult situation as to how we deal with this."

The Sri Lankan government has been exploring various channels to rescue the trapped citizens, including diplomatic and non-diplomatic means. 

So far, they have managed to rescue 26 individuals, but 56 remain in the conflict zone.

"We have been constantly in touch with the Myanmar government," Sabry revealed. "They have promised to carry out a rescue operation, but those rebels in that particular area are very powerful and have taken control of the whole area."

While the government continues its efforts to rescue the remaining individuals, Sabry urged Sri Lankans to avoid traveling to the region. 

He highlighted the role of scammers exploiting people desperate for jobs, particularly in overseas countries, and trafficking them via Dubai, Singapore, and Bangkok en route to Myanmar.

Sabry also called on the media, particularly Tamil media, to raise awareness about these scams. He noted that the victims of the scam had been predominantly Tamil-speaking people from the North and East, including Muslims and Tamils.