The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, in close coordination with the Sri Lanka Missions in Myanmar and Thailand and with the cooperation of the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand, successfully facilitated the rescue of 15 Sri Lankan nationals who had been trafficked and forcibly employed in cybercrime centers in Myawaddy, Myanmar. The rescued victims of human trafficking are scheduled to return to Sri Lanka on 07 May 2025.
This development follows sustained diplomatic engagement undertaken by Sri Lankan authorities.
The Ministry extends its sincere appreciation to the Governments of Myanmar and Thailand for their invaluable support in the rescue and safe repatriation of these Sri Lankans. The Ministry also acknowledges with gratitude the contribution of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) in Thailand for facilitating international air travel and internal transportation, as well as the assistance provided by international non-governmental organizations operating in Myanmar for their welfare support throughout the process.
The Ministry strongly urges the public to remain vigilant against human trafficking schemes when seeking foreign employment. Sri Lankans are advised to strictly adhere to government-approved procedures and verify job opportunities with the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment (SLBFE) before securing foreign employment.
