Investigations carried out so far have revealed that six Sri Lankans sent to Russia by human traffickers to join the military have died, Police Media Spokesman DIG Nihal Thalduwa said.

Meanwhile, two other Sri Lankans who joined Ukrainian forces by illegal means have also been confirmed dead, the police said.

The Police Spokesman also assured that further investigations are in progress to find out the exact number of individuals involved with the matter.

Further, the police revealed that investigations have revealed that 60 Sri Lankans have been sent to Russia and 23 Sri Lankans have been sent to Ukraine so far by human traffickers, to be deployed in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Joining Ada Derana’s current affairs programme “Big Focus” on Thursday (9), ASP of the Criminal Investigation Department’s (CID) Human Trafficking, Smuggling, and Maritime Crimes Division, Harendra Jayakantha said investigations have revealed that over 100 members of Sri Lankan security forces have joined the Russia – Ukraine warfront by illegal means.

In the meantime, one of the retired security forces members who had left the country to join the Russia-Ukraine warfront has returned to the island from Ukraine this morning (09). 

He was arrested by the CID at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) in Katunayake upon arrival in the island. It was reported that he is a resident of the Kuliyapitiya area.