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.

This significant achievement is the result of long-standing and persistent diplomatic engagement, particularly with Thai authorities, through the Sri Lanka Embassy in Thailand. The Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Thailand, Wijayanthi Edirisinghe and officials of the Embassy, crossed the border checkpoint into Myanmar and met with Saw Tun Aung, Minister of Social Affairs of the Kayin State Government, and the Deputy Superintendent of Myawaddy Immigration, ensuring a smooth repatriation process for the affected Sri Lankans.

This development follows sustained diplomatic efforts made by Sri Lanka including recent telephone conversations with the Deputy Prime Minister and Union Minister of Foreign Affairs of Myanmar, U Than Swe, on 3 February 2024, and Thailand’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Maris Sangiampongsa, on 13 February 2025 by Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism Minister, Vijitha Herath. In both engagements, Minister Herath emphasized the need for urgent assistance for the rescue and repatriation of the trafficked Sri Lankan nationals.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism extends its sincere appreciation to the Governments of Thailand and Myanmar for their invaluable cooperation in this humanitarian effort. The Ministry also gratefully acknowledges the International Organization for Migration (IOM) for providing essential support, including international air passage and internal transportation for the rescued individuals.

The Ministry once again urges the public to remain vigilant against human trafficking and unscrupulous foreign employment schemes. Sri Lankans are strongly advised to secure overseas employment only through government-approved channels and to verify opportunities with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE).

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok
06.05.2025