June 12, Colombo (LNW): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has assured Sri Lankan Foreign Minister Ali Sabry, PC, that no further recruitment will be made from Sri Lanka into the Russian armed forces. This assurance came during a meeting between the two Foreign Ministers in Russia on Monday.
The issue of Sri Lankan citizens joining the Russian Armed Forces was a key topic during the bilateral discussions. Minister Sabry, who is in Nizhny Novgorod for the BRICS 2024 Foreign Ministerial Session with developing countries, sought Lavrov’s assistance in addressing the challenges faced by these individuals.
Additionally, the upcoming meeting on June 26 and 27 between a high-level Sri Lankan delegation led by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya and the Russian Deputy Minister of Defense will review these issues comprehensively and take appropriate actions to resolve the situation. This meeting will further reinforce the agreement to halt any new recruitment of Sri Lankan citizens into the Russian armed forces.
The two Foreign Ministers also agreed to strengthen bilateral relations in various sectors, including tourism, higher education, and economic cooperation.
