Press Releases
15 Sri Lankans Rescued from Cybercrime Centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar to be Repatriated on 07 May 2025
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in close coordination with the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Thailand and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar, has successfully facilitated the rescue of 15 Sri Lankan nationals who had been trafficked and forcibly employed in cybercrime centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar on 06th May 2025. The rescued individuals are scheduled to be repatriated to Sri Lanka on 07 May 2025.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka Contributes to UNESCAP – Side Event during the 81st ESCAP Commission Session
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Wijayanthi Edirisinghe invited to attend a panel discussion at the BIMSTEC-ESCAP side event held during the 81st ESCAP Commission Session under the theme “Harnessing Digital Technologies for Sustainable Development in the Bay of Bengal Region.” On 23.04.2025.
Ambassador and Permanent Representative Wijayanthi Edirisinghe met with General Nipat Thonglek, Vice Minister for the Office of the Prime Minister of Thailand, to discuss on strengthening defence cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand mainly focusing human trafficking issues. The meeting, held in Bangkok on 09.01.2024, was also attended by senior officials from Thailand’s National Intelligence Agency and the National Security Council.
During the discussions, Ambassador Edirisinghe expressed her gratitude to the Royal Thai Government, particularly the Immigration Bureau, the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security, and the Border Guard Force, for their unwavering support in facilitating rescue operations and repatriation efforts of Sri Lankan victims of human trafficking through the National Referral Mechanism (NRM) process. She emphasized the significance of addressing this pressing regional issue, noting the challenges it poses and its impact on Thailand’s image as a transit hub.
Vice Minister Gen. Nipat Thonglek acknowledged the gravity of the matter, highlighting that Thai nationals are also victims of such issues, which result in substantial economic losses for the country. He assured his commitment to providing full support in rescuing Sri Lankan nationals who remain stranded. The Vice Minister requested comprehensive details of the remaining cases and pledged to bring the matter to the attention of Thailand’s Minister of Defence and other law enforcement authorities for immediate action.
In addition, Vice Minister Thonglek emphasized the importance of expediting the conclusion of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Defence Cooperation between Sri Lanka and Thailand. He noted that finalizing the MoU would be a fitting way to commemorate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two nations.
This meeting underscored the shared commitment of Sri Lanka and Thailand to strengthening bilateral ties and addressing regional challenges collaboratively.
Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
10.01.2024
15 Sri Lankans Rescued from Cybercrime Centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar to be Repatriated on 07 May 2025
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, in close coordination with the Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka in Thailand and the Embassy of Sri Lanka in Myanmar, has successfully facilitated the rescue of 15 Sri Lankan nationals who had been trafficked and forcibly employed in cybercrime centres in Myawaddy, Myanmar on 06th May 2025. The rescued individuals are scheduled to be repatriated to Sri Lanka on 07 May 2025.
Ambassador of Sri Lanka Contributes to UNESCAP – Side Event during the 81st ESCAP Commission Session
The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to the Kingdom of Thailand and the Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) Wijayanthi Edirisinghe invited to attend a panel discussion at the BIMSTEC-ESCAP side event held during the 81st ESCAP Commission Session under the theme “Harnessing Digital Technologies for Sustainable Development in the Bay of Bengal Region.” On 23.04.2025.