News

32 Lankan victims of human trafficking, rescued in Myanmar

Published

6 months ago

November 25, 2024

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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

Nalinda departs for Switzerland to attend WHO assembly

Published

7 minutes ago

May 19, 2025

editor

Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa left for Switzerland yesterday (May 18) to attend the 78th World Health Assembly (WHA78) organized by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The assembly will be held in Geneva, Switzerland from May 19 – 27 under the theme – “One World for Health”.

Health ministers from all WHO member states, along with over 5,000 delegates representing global health sectors, are expected to attend the assembly.

It’s reported that this will feature wide-ranging discussions with representatives from various countries, during which proposals, ideas, and research data will be reviewed to make key decisions and formulate plans to improve global health conditions in the coming year.

In addition to the Minister of Health, the Sri Lankan delegation to the WHA78 includes the Health Ministry Secretary – Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Sri Lanka’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva – Himali Arunathilaka, and the mission’s First Secretary – Nishanthini Victor.

News

Mahindananda’s lawyer sends letter to CIABOC

Published

14 minutes ago

May 19, 2025

editor

The legal counsel of former Agriculture Minister – Mahindananda Aluthgamage, against whom an arrest warrant has been issued, has sent a letter to the Director General of the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC).

The full letter in Sinhala is as follows :

CIABOC Letter – Cherag Download

News

Strong winds over the island expected today

Published

2 hours ago

May 19, 2025

editor

The Department of Meteorology says South-West monsoon conditions are gradually getting established over the island and it will be in effect until 5.30 am tomorrow (20).

Cloudy skies can be expected over most parts of the island.

Meanwhile, wind speed in the sea areas of the relevant areas may increase to 55 – 65 kmph at times.

Showers or thundershowers will occur at times in Western, Sabaragamuwa, North-western, Central, Southern and Northern provinces.

Heavy showers above 100 mm are likely at some places in Western and Sabaragamuwa provinces and in Galle, Matara, Puttalam, Nuwara-Eliya and Kandy districts.

Several spells of showers will occur in the North-central province.

Showers or thundershowers may occur at several places elsewhere on the island during the evening or night.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.