The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism has announced the successful rescue of 14 Sri Lankans who were trafficked and forcibly employed at cybercrime centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar. The rescued group is scheduled to be repatriated to Sri Lanka today, March 18, 2025.
The operation was made possible through the combined efforts of the Ministry, Sri Lankan embassies in Myanmar and Thailand, and the governments of Myanmar and Thailand. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) also supported the mission by arranging international air travel and internal transportation for the rescued individuals. Several international non-governmental organizations in Myanmar provided welfare assistance during the process.
This successful rescue follows months of diplomatic efforts led by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath. The Minister held discussions with Myanmar’s Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs, U Than Swe, on February 3, 2024, and with Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, on February 13, 2025. During these talks, Minister Herath requested urgent assistance to rescue and repatriate the trafficked Sri Lankans.
The Ministry expressed its sincere appreciation to the governments of Myanmar and Thailand and to the IOM for their vital contributions to the mission.
The Ministry also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing efforts to secure the release of any remaining Sri Lankans still held in similar conditions in the region.
Further, the Ministry urged all Sri Lankans to be cautious when seeking foreign employment opportunities and to strictly follow government-approved procedures. Job seekers were reminded to verify employment offers through the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) to avoid falling victim to human trafficking.
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