Wounded Sri Lankan Mercenaries Choose Russian Citizenship Over Return

Many Sri Lankan mercenaries injured in Russia are hesitant to return home, hoping to gain Russian citizenship, a minister stated on Saturday. Numerous Sri Lankan mercenaries were sent to Russia by agents and compelled to fight in the conflict against Ukraine.

Foreign Minister Ali Sabry mentioned that many Sri Lankan fighters in Ukraine have acquired Russian citizenship, complicating diplomatic support. "They have taken Russian citizenship at the moment," Sabry said on Friday. "If you take another country’s citizenship you lose Sri Lankan citizenship, so if you are no longer a citizen of Sri Lanka we lose the right to represent you, that is the problem unless they apply for dual citizenship," he added.

Challenges in Diplomatic Support

Sabry explained that some individuals might have been misled into believing they would serve as camp helpers but were instead pushed into combat roles. Others might have been aware of the actual risks involved. The State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya recently returned from Russia after leading a delegation to discuss human smuggling operations involving ex-military personnel.

Balasuriya revealed, "We were provided details of 464 of them. As many as 17 have died. We also discussed the issue of paying compensation to them." The two days of talks with Russian authorities focused on the 17 Sri Lankans killed in action, compensation for the deceased and wounded, the plight of those uncontactable, voluntary returns, early contract termination, and regularisation of remuneration.

Efforts to Curb Illegal Recruitment

A News First Lanka report indicated that an initiative was proposed to prevent retired Sri Lankan military personnel from being illegally recruited and trafficked to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. MP Gamini Valeboda said discussions were held with high-ranking Russian officials, including the Deputy Minister of Defence and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. A joint committee comprising representatives from both countries' relevant ministries and the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Russia has been established.

Valeboda also highlighted the gravity of the situation, noting that smugglers charged families over Rs. 1 billion to facilitate illegal deployment. The government has blamed foreign employment agencies for orchestrating a people-smuggling racket. Many retired military officers and foreign employment agency personnel are currently remanded for their involvement in this racket.

The Sri Lankan minister said talks with Russian authorities also covered payment of compensation for those killed or wounded, addressing uncontactable individuals' situations, voluntary returns, early contract termination, and regularising remuneration.

Efforts are ongoing to address these issues and prevent further illegal recruitment and trafficking of Sri Lankan ex-military personnel into conflict zones.