News

32 Lankan victims of human trafficking, rescued in Myanmar

Published

6 months ago

November 25, 2024

editor

Thirty-two (32) Sri Lankan nationals who were victims of human trafficking and stranded in Myanmar have been rescued on 25 November following a successful, coordinated process, the Sri Lankan Ministry of Foreign Affairs announces.

The rescued Sri Lankans had been lured into cybercrime operations and became victims of human trafficking, the MFA says in a statement.

The statement further notes :

The Government of Sri Lanka will coordinate with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for their early repatriation to Sri Lanka.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism and Sri Lanka’s Ambassadors in Thailand and Myanmar coordinated the process. Ven. Maligawila Assaji Thero, who represented the families of the trafficked Sri Lankans, also facilitated the process.

Last week, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism Vijitha Herath, directed the officials to undertake urgent representations to the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand to support the rescue operation and for Sri Lanka’s Envoys to engage the respective Governments in this regard.

The 32 Sri Lankans comprising 08 females and 24 males have been safely brought across the Mae Sot border on 25 November and were received by Sri Lanka’s Ambassador in Thailand. They are now in the Tak Province, Thailand and their welfare needs are being provided.

The present rescue follows two other processes in April 2024 and August 2024 where a total of 28 Sri Lankans were rescued by the Government of Sri Lanka in coordination with the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism strongly urges those Sri Lankans seeking foreign employment to mandatorily adhere to authorized procedures, so as not to fall victim to human trafficking schemes. They should verify their job opportunities or offers with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) prior to undertaking employment overseas.

News

8,742 Vesak Dansals registered islandwide

Published

4 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

The Public Health Inspectors (PHI)’s Union states that a total of 8,742 Dansals have been registered islandwide, in line with Vesak celebrations this year.

According to the PHI’s Union chairman – Upul Rohana, the highest number of ‘Dansal’ is registered in the Western Province, particularly in the Colombo Municipal Council (CMC) area.

The union has also urged organiser to reduce the use of polythene and plastic during food distribution efforts.

News

Financial assistance from President’s Fund for Gerandi Ella bus accident victims

Published

5 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

A sum of Rs. 1 million from the President’s Fund will be granted for each individual who lost their life in the Kotmale bus accident, the President’s Media Division states.

President Anura Kumara Disanayake has directed that a sum of Rs. 1 million be granted from the President’s Fund to each individual who lost their life in the tragic bus accident that occurred early this morning (11) in the Garadiella area, Kotmale.

Accordingly, arrangements have been made to promptly disburse these funds to the next of kin of the deceased through the President’s Fund.

In addition to this assistance, compensation will also be provided to the affected families through the Sri Lanka Transport Board and relevant insurance schemes.

Meanwhile, authorities continue to investigate the cause of the accident, which has claimed 22 lives so far.

(Pic : Accident1st)

News

Maxwell gets 5-yr. ban

Published

5 hours ago

May 12, 2025

editor

Former Secretary of the National Olympic Committee of Sri Lanka (NOCSL) Maxwell de Silva was handed a five-year ban, sources revealed.

Earlier, De Silva was suspended by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the Ministry of Sports due to various irregularities committed by him over several years.

Accordingly, the NOCSL Executive Committee decided to hand down a five-year ban on De Silva, considering the recommendations made by the NOCSL Ethics Committee, NOCSL President Suresh Subramaniam told the Daily Mirror.

Subramaniam further stated that the penalty on De Silva has already been communicated in writing to the IOC.

Accordingly, the former secretary, who has been banned for five years, is now completely prohibited from representing the NOCSL at any foreign event or international conference.

(dailymirror.lk)

(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by dailymirror.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)