 "Firefighters hose down a fire as a lifeless body lies under the rubble after a Russian missile hit a large printing house in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Thursday, May 23, 2024. - AP")
A retired Sri Lankan Army Major General and his wife have been arrested in connection with a human smuggling racket that facilitated the movement of former military personnel to serve on the war front in Russia and Ukraine. With this arrest, the total number of people detained or arrested in relation to this operation has reached to nine.
According to reports, these Sri Lankan mercenaries were misled by unscrupulous foreign employment agencies that promised them legitimate job opportunities abroad. Instead, they were recruited to join the ongoing conflicts in Russia and Ukraine.
The police have said that the arrests are part of a broader investigation into the network responsible for these illicit activities, aiming to dismantle the smuggling racket and prevent further exploitation of former military personnel.
The retired Army Major General along with his wife were arrested from the Colombo suburb of Wattala on Thursday. The wife was released on bail on being produced before the court. The total number arrested so far has now risen to 9 while the police remain on the lookout for more arrests, authorities said.
The suspects now arrested include two retired Major Generals and a Sergeant of the Sri Lanka Army. On Thursday, five suspects were produced before the Negombo Magistrate’s Court which remanded them till May 30.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsEarlier this month, a Sri Lankan court remanded till May 30 the five suspects, including a retired Major General, arrested in connection with a human smuggling operation to send former military personnel to serve in the Russian and Ukrainian forces amidst their ongoing war.
Sri Lanka blamed unscrupulous employment agencies and ex-servicemen for being part of the racket. At least eight Sri Lankans have died on the battlefront while more remain missing with their families back home being unable to make contact, according to the latest information.
Sri Lanka last week said a high-powered delegation would soon visit Russia to engage with the Russian authorities on the issue of mercenaries.