The Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Sri Lanka, Levan S. Dzhagaryan criticised what he describes as a “powerful Western country” for its contradictory stance on Sri Lankan ex-military personnel joining the Russian military in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Dzhagaryan highlighted the perceived hypocrisy of the Western nation’s concerns at a joint press conference with State Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tharaka Balasuriya at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Colombo.
He said that while this Western country had expressed concern over Sri Lankan ex-military soldiers joining the Russian Federation’s forces, it has not shown similar apprehension about Sri Lankan ex-military personnel enlisting in the Ukrainian Army.
“Why?” he questioned and added, “Because it is a clear demonstration of their double standards and hypocrisy.”
The Ambassador accused the unnamed Western nation of attempting to interfere with and undermine Russia’s diplomatic relations with Sri Lanka.
“They are trying to interfere and spoil our diplomatic relations,” he said.
The press conference was convened to address the situation of Sri Lankans being deployed on the Russia-Ukraine warfront.
The Russian convoy said that their Embassy had not issued visas to any Sri Lankan who had signed with the Russian Defence Ministry at the time they had left the country.
Dzhagaryan said that his Embassy would cooperate with efforts to stop Sri Lankans from travelling illegally to Russia, adding that his Government was not involved in the recruitment offers.
“My President, Putin, clarified many times that if any foreigner would like to voluntarily – I emphasise, voluntarily – join the Russian Armed Forces, there is no objection. Because look at the other side – how many mercenaries are fighting for Ukraine, from different countries,” said Dzhagaryan.
Amid increasing reports of Sri Lankans, most of them ex- soldiers, deployed in the conflict and complaints from families about their dangerous conditions, the Government has launched an anti-human trafficking investigation to track down the unscrupulous agents responsible for sending them to become mercenaries to serve in the Russian and Ukrainian armies.
The Criminal Investigation Department has taken in for questioning five such agents, including a retired Major General, for their involvement in this human smuggling operation targeting ex-military personnel.
The Ministry has also contacted the Ukrainian authorities to discuss the safe return of Sri Lankans allegedly deployed in the Ukrainian Army. The Government has initiated diplomatic negotiations with the Russian Federation to address the urgent situation under the guidance of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
As part of these efforts, a delegation led by State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya will depart for Moscow this week to discuss matters with the Russian Federation’s Defence and Foreign Affairs Ministries. The Foreign Affairs Ministry is awaiting appointments from the Russian Defence and Foreign Ministries to facilitate the talks by June 5.
Balasuriya said that the delegation will discuss the possibility of repatriating Sri Lankans deployed in Ukraine. “We have received 455 complaints from the families of those who have migrated to Russia so far, but the number could be much higher than that,” he said.
Balasuriya also highlighted the urgency for some ex-servicemen to return to Sri Lanka to qualify for their pensions, as failing to get the Government pension certified by a Grama Niladhari officer within six months disqualifies them from claiming it.
