Sri Lankans Rescued from Myanmar Cybercrime Centers To Return Home

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a coordinated effort, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, along with 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 centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar. 

The rescued individuals are scheduled to be repatriated to Sri Lanka on March 18, 2025.

This successful operation follows sustained diplomatic efforts by Sri Lanka, including recent telephone conversations between Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath and Myanmar's Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Than Swe, on February 3, 2024, and Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, on February 13, 2025. 

Minister Herath emphasized the urgent need for assistance in rescuing and repatriating the trafficked Sri Lankan nationals during these engagements.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism expressed sincere appreciation to the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand for their invaluable assistance in the rescue and safe repatriation of the trafficked Sri Lankans. 

The Ministry also extended gratitude to the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for providing international air passage and internal transportation, and to other International Non-Governmental Organizations in Myanmar for their welfare assistance during this process.

The Ministry said that it remains committed to securing the rescue and repatriation of the remaining trafficked Sri Lankans, with continued support from the Myanmar and Thai authorities and in collaboration with 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. Hospital.