News
Two Indians recruiting Lanka’s ex-servicemen for Russia-Ukraine war
MP Dayasiri Jayasekera informs House:
By Saman Indrajith
Parliament was yesterday informed that two Indians were recruiting ex-Sri Lankan servicemen to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war. SLFP MP Dayasiri Jayasekera said the leading operator had identified himself as a lawyer while his brother called himself a doctor.
They were in touch with ex-servicemen of Sri Lanka and offering them jobs as general camp helpers for either Ukraine or Russia, Jayasekera said. “But once they reach either Russia or Ukraine, they are not rostered for general camp duties; they are made to fight. So, Lankan ex-servicemen end up shooting one another from Russian and Ukrainian sides, the MP said, adding that a Lankan ex-serviceman, by the name of Kusantha Gunawardena had gone missing. He had been recruited as a general camp helper and sent to a Donetsk-region camp identified as BL/Y/41698/NO3.
There he had been deployed to work in a military tank which came under attack by Ukrainian drones , Jayasekera said. Two of his colleagues were killed but Gunawardena survived the attack. “However, there is no more information about this soldier. Now, he is missing,” Jayasekera said.
These ex-servicemen are lured through online and social media advertisements, Jayasekera said. “There are reports that a major is in custody for his involvement in enticing ex-servicemen to fight in Russia. Another former officer’s name, too, has been mentioned regarding this. Each ex-serviceman has been asked to pay Rs 1.8 million each to the racketeers to secure the jobs.
Leader of the House Minister Susil Premajayantha said that the government would respond to the matter soon.
Justice Minister Dr. Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe said that there were several investigations in progress by several agencies, including the police, military as well as the Foreign Ministry. There are reports of Sri Lankan ex-servicemen fighting in the Russian and Ukrainian armies as mercenaries. The police have received information that the recruitments are being conducted by institutions operating as employment agencies. Public Security Minister Tiran Alles would appraise the House of the progress of those investigations on Thursday, Minister Rajapakshe said.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
Trump to meet Venezuelan opposition leader Machado at the White House
Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
Expressions of Interest called to develop selected locations within the Pelawatte Sugar Factory premises
Minimum purchasing price of Samba and Kiri Samba paddy increased
‘Dates have the highest sugar content to fight Coronavirus’
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