Retired military personnel seeking employment in Russia or adjoining countries will be subject to thorough background checks to detect those attempting to engage in military activity in Russia in the guise of seeking other forms of employment.
This comes amidst reports that former military personnel are being lured by lucrative offers to fight with Russian forces in the war front with Ukraine.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Hearth told Parliament this week that as of January 20, the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has recorded information of 554 Lanka military personnel fighting in Russia.
The number of deaths of Lankan soldiers in the Russian war front is 59.
Minister Herath said that some of the men had gone to fight without informing their families and the ministry had been contacted by many seeking the whereabouts of their loved ones.
He said that the Government would not allow any retired military personnel to go to fight in foreign nations, and would be taking measures to ensure that those who travel overseas do so only for legitimate reasons.
(sundaytimes.lk)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by sundaytimes.lk has not been edited by SLM staff)