• Urges Govt. intervention to crackdown on racket

Opposition Parliamentarian Dayasiri Jayasekara has raised concerns about a growing trend where Sri Lankan retired military personnel are allegedly being exploited in a scheme to send them to serve in the Russian and Ukrainian Armies.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday (24), he claimed that a significant number of Sri Lankan retired military personnel are being sent to Russia and Ukraine to serve as militants and general camp helpers. "This has become a large-scale racket now. They are being sent to serve as helpers in camps, but later, they are being forced to serve as militants. Sri Lankans joining these two countries and fighting with each other is an unfortunate situation."

He also explained that Sri Lankans who have joined the Russian and Ukrainian Armies had to face tragic events, and that therefore, the Government should initiate action to prevent such incidents. "One Sri Lankan retired military member had, together with two other persons, been deployed to a battle tank. It had been blasted and two people died. This particular retired military member had managed to come out of the tank, but he has since gone missing. He was a talented military officer while in Sri Lanka." Speaking further, Jayasekara said that the Government should find out who is behind sending military personnel to Russia and Ukraine, and how many Sri Lankans have been sent thus far. "About Rs. 1.8 million is being charged from one person to go to Russia or Ukraine. Those who send them do so by publishing advertisements. Retired military personnel become victims of this racket as they have no sufficient means to live here. The Government should protect their dignity and take appropriate actions."

In response to him, the Leader of the House Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the Minister of Justice, Prison Affairs and Constitutional Reforms Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe would respond to Jayasekara.

The invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, marked a significant escalation of tensions between the countries. The war has resulted in widespread destruction, significant civilian casualties, and the displacement of millions of people.