May 05, Colombo (LNW): A group of 15 Sri Lankan nationals, reportedly held against their will at cybercrime operations in Myawaddy, Myanmar, is expected to be repatriated tomorrow (06) following an international rescue effort coordinated by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism.
The rescue mission, undertaken on the directive of the Foreign Minister, has been facilitated through diplomatic channels involving both the Sri Lankan embassies in Myanmar and Thailand.
Officials have been working in close cooperation with the Governor of Thailand’s Tak Province and local immigration authorities to ensure the safe extraction and repatriation of the affected individuals.
The group was believed to have been lured to Myanmar through promises of employment, only to find themselves trapped in exploitative conditions at suspected cybercrime centres in the border town of Myawaddy — a region that has become notorious for human trafficking and transnational scam operations.
Support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has played a key role in the repatriation process. The IOM’s office in Thailand has agreed to cover the cost of air travel and inland transport for the rescued Sri Lankans. Arrangements for their return have been finalised through Sri Lanka’s diplomatic mission in Bangkok, ensuring safe passage back home.
Sri Lankan officials have expressed concern over the rising number of such incidents, where vulnerable individuals are trafficked or coerced into illegal activities under false pretences abroad.
The Ministry has reiterated the importance of verifying employment offers through legal and recognised channels and cautioned citizens against unofficial overseas job advertisements, particularly in regions marked by political instability and weak law enforcement.
Sri Lanka, working in collaboration with regional partners, has increasingly turned its attention to the plight of its nationals caught in such cross-border criminal networks.
Officials confirmed that the returnees will be subject to health and security screenings upon arrival in Sri Lanka. Support services, including counselling and reintegration assistance, will be provided by relevant government agencies and international partners.
The Ministry said that further diplomatic engagement is ongoing to prevent the recurrence of similar incidents and to dismantle the networks responsible for exploiting foreign labour.
