News
More than 100 Lankan soldiers of fortune serving both Russia and Ukraine out of economic necessity
By Norman Palihawadane
Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said that eight Lankans who served as mercenaries in the Russia-Ukraine war were killed in action as per the information yielded by investigations conducted up to Thursday.He said that six Lankans were killed while serving the Russian army and two others died serving the Ukrainian forces.
The Police Spokesman said that further investigations are in progress to find out the exact number of Lankans serving in either side of the conflict.
He said that investigations have revealed that 60 Sri Lankans have been sent to Russia and 23 have been sent to Ukraine so far by human traffickers, to be deployed in the conflict.
ASP of the CID’s Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Maritime Crimes Division, Harendra Jayakantha said investigations have revealed that over 100 members of Sri Lankan security forces have joined the Russia – Ukraine war by illegal means.
In the meantime, one of the retired security forces members who had left the country to join the Russia-Ukraine war returned to the country from Ukraine Thursday morning (09). He was arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport in Katunayake upon arrival. He is a resident of Kuliyapitiya, police said.
Independent observers said virtually all are soldiers of fortune due to dire economic straits they are facing here. As they are of no burden to the country they should not be criminalised for risking their life and limb to earn a living.
The People of Myanmar are facing immense hardships caused by the devastating earthquake on 28th March and as reported by the international media reports the death toll is over 2,700. Furthermore, it has been reported that many people are missing while, a large number of individuals have been injured and are receiving treatment.
Considering the long – term close relationship between the two nations as two Buddhist states, the Cabinet of Ministers has decided to provide,
• A sum of United States Dollars One Million
• Transportation for the dry rations collected by Buddhist clergy and other donors
• To have a group of medical officers and health staff on standby for immediate departure to Myanmar if necessary
Latest News
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom
Attention of the Cabinet of Ministers have been drawn on the decisions taken by the United Kingdom to impose sanctions on four Sri Lankan individuals recently, and have decided to appoint a committee comprised of three ministers to submit a report with recommendations on the further measures to be taken after studying the facts in the regard and to empower the committee to obtain the service of any officer/intellect deemed to have subject expertise in the relevant field and considered essential.
The committee will comprise of :
– Vijitha Herath Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism
– Attorney – at – Law Harshana Nanayakkara Minister of Justice and National Integrity
– Aruna Jayasekara Deputy Minister of Defence
News
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.
Approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 17.03.2025 to amend the Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme by increasing the value of the benefits already being payed under the scheme.
The revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme has been published by the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2429/02 dated 24.03.2025.
Accordingly, he Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the resolution furnished by the President in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Policy Plannng and Economic Development to submit the said revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to the Parliament for its concurrence.
Cabinet approves providing relief to the people of Myanmar
Cabinet appoints ministerial committee to submit report on sanctions imposed on 04 Sri Lankans by the United Kingdom
Revised Aswasuma Welfare Benefit Payment Scheme to be submitted for the concurrence of the Parliament.
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