Three Sri Lankans Held Hostage in Ethiopia Rescued

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that three Sri Lankans who had been held hostage by an organised criminal gang in Ethiopia have been rescued.

The Ministry stated that the three Sri Lankan nationals were released following a joint operation carried out by Sri Lankan and the Ethiopian authorities.

Arrangements are now underway to bring them back to Sri Lanka.

The three individuals, from Jaffna, had reportedly travelled through Ethiopia while attempting to reach Canada illegally.

The victims informed their relatives that the criminal gang in Ethiopia were holding them captive and was demanding a ransom for their release.

Meanwhile, the suspect alleged to have facilitated the illegal travel operation was arrested recently.