August 16, Colombo (LNW):Following persistent appeals by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 20 Sri Lankans who were victims of human trafficking and stranded in Myanmar have been rescued and safely arrived in Mae Sot, Thailand, on Wednesday (14th). Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, visited Mae Sot to meet the rescued individuals and inquire about their welfare. The Sri Lankan Missions in Yangon and Bangkok have been working closely to secure their safe release and ensure their well-being.
All 20 rescued Sri Lankans are reported to be in good health. Thai authorities are providing Consular assistance, and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Bangkok is coordinating with them to facilitate the repatriation process.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is also actively working to rescue the remaining 34 Sri Lankans currently stranded in the Myawaddy area of Myanmar, with the cooperation of the relevant governments.
These individuals had traveled to Myanmar seeking foreign employment without following the proper procedures, using tourist visas, and were subsequently lured into cybercriminal operations, becoming victims of human trafficking.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a warning, urging the public to be cautious and to adhere to proper procedures when seeking employment abroad to avoid falling prey to human trafficking.
