News

Sri Lankan rescued from cybercrime camp in Myanmar

Published

4 weeks ago

February 14, 2025

editor

The Sri Lankan Embassy in Myanmar has confirmed that a Sri Lankan national was among those recently rescued from cybercrime camps in Myanmar.

The individual is currently under the protection of Thai authorities.

Over 250 individuals from 20 different nationalities were freed from these camps and have been transported to Thailand. An official from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Thailand reported that 16 more Sri Lankans are still believed to be held in these camps, with the possibility of additional unreported detainees.

In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, held a telephone conversation with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, to reaffirm the urgent assistance required with respect to the rescue and safe repatriation of trafficked Sri Lankans.

He also expressed appreciation for Thailand’s ongoing support in rescuing and repatriating Sri Lankans trafficked to cybercrime centers in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar.

Since 2023, Thailand has facilitated the safe return of 58 Sri Lankans who were forcibly detained by human trafficking syndicates.

Minister Herath urged Thailand’s urgent cooperation to expedite the rescue and repatriation of the remaining 18 Sri Lankans, who are reportedly facing torture and mistreatment in these centres.

The Foreign Minister of Thailand assured assistance to Sri Lanka in the endeavour to rescue the remaining trafficked Sri Lankans.

(News1st)
(Except for the headline, this story, originally published by News1st has not been edited by SLM staff)

News

Misuse of plantation funds and lands exposed in parliament

Published

2 hours ago

March 15, 2025

editor

Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure, Samantha Vidyarathna, addressed Parliament, alleging that numerous associates and officials, including former ministers, have recently received substantial sums of money and government lands under the pretext of various cultivation projects, which were subsequently not implemented. He announced that investigations will be initiated into these matters.

Minister Vidyarathna accused former Minister Salinda Dissanayake of acquiring 76 acres of fertile land from the Kurunegala Plantation Company through a company he personally established.

Additionally, he claimed that a friend of former Minister Arundika Fernando was allocated 21 acres of fertile land belonging to the same company, misrepresented as barren land, with the transaction allegedly authorized by former President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

The Minister further alleged that Anoma Gamage, wife of former Primary Industries Minister Daya Gamage, received 140 million rupees purportedly for an agricultural project, which was never executed.

These allegations were presented during the debate on the expenditure head of the Ministry of Plantations and Community Infrastructure.

He also stated that former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda was granted 180 million rupees for a cultivation project, and that 82 million rupees were given to the son of former Ministry Secretary Bandula Wickramarachchi for a similar initiative.