As part of her official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, the Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Cambodia, H.E. E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe, paid a courtesy call on H.E. Sar Sokha, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, at the Ministry of Interior on 04 August 2026. The meeting underscored the shared commitment of Sri Lanka and Cambodia to further strengthening bilateral cooperation in addressing transnational organized crime, combating cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking, and enhancing consular collaboration.

Welcoming the Ambassador, H.E. Dr. Sar Sokha reaffirmed the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Sri Lanka in addressing common security challenges. He emphasized the importance of close collaboration between the relevant law enforcement, immigration, and other competent authorities of the two countries through information sharing, institutional cooperation, and capacity-building initiatives to combat cybercrime, human trafficking, online scam operations, and other forms of transnational organized crime. The Minister also welcomed the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Cambodia, noting that it would serve as an additional channel for strengthening communication and practical cooperation between the Cambodian authorities and Sri Lanka in addressing consular matters and providing assistance to Sri Lankan nationals in Cambodia.

As a response, the Ambassador conveyed sincere appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Ministry of Interior and the relevant Cambodian law enforcement, immigration, and other competent authorities for the invaluable cooperation extended to the Embassy in facilitating the rescue, temporary shelter, immigration formalities, and repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals who had fallen victim to online scam operations and human trafficking networks in Cambodia. She acknowledged the professionalism and close coordination demonstrated by the Cambodian authorities in addressing these complex humanitarian and law enforcement challenges.

The Ambassador highlighted that the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Cambodia marked an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s engagement with Cambodia and would further strengthen institutional cooperation between the Embassy and the Ministry of Interior in facilitating consular coordination and assistance to Sri Lankan nationals. In this context, she requested the continued support of the Ministry in expediting immigration clearance, exit visa procedures, and other administrative formalities to ensure the safe and timely repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals who have fallen victim to online scam operations and human trafficking. She also proposed the establishment of designated focal points between the relevant authorities of the two countries to facilitate timely communication and information sharing on consular matters involving Sri Lankan nationals.

The Ambassador further underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation between the relevant law enforcement agencies of Sri Lanka and Cambodia through the exchange of operational information, capacity-building initiatives, technical cooperation, and the exploration of an institutional framework, including a Memorandum of Understanding, to strengthen joint efforts in combating cybercrime, human trafficking, illegal migration, document fraud, and other forms of transnational organized crime. Emphasizing the need to identify and dismantle criminal recruitment networks operating across borders through fraudulent overseas employment schemes, she reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to working closely with Cambodia and ASEAN partners to address emerging regional security challenges and promote peace, security, and the rule of law.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to maintaining close coordination and strengthening practical cooperation between the relevant authorities of Sri Lanka and Cambodia to effectively address transnational crime and enhance the protection and welfare of their respective nationals.

The meeting was attended by Ms. Thilini Ihalage, Minister Counsellor and Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Sri Lanka and Mr. Pily Wong, Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Cambodia.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka

Bangkok

10 August 2026