• Sri Lanka seeks diplomatic engagement since matter has bilateral implications

By Yohan Perera  

Whilst revealing that Russian law allows that country  to recruit foreigners to its military in accordance with signed  contracts, Sri Lankan foreign Minister Ali Sabry yesterday said the  Russian government wants local servicemen and the Sri Lankan government  to uphold these contracts they have signed with their foreign employers.    
“I met the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during my  recent visit to Russia. The foreign minister and the other Russian  officials informed us that their law allows that country to recruit  foreigners to work in their military. They also told us that most Sri  Lankan ex-servicemen have signed contracts with the Russian government. 

Therefore, Russia wants these agreements upheld. They said they will do  their part and expect the other party to do the same,” Minister Sabry  said.   

“However, Russia always respect Sri Lanka. We are confident  that they will not let us down. The issue is half solved, and we want  to resolve it completely without dragging it,” he said.   

The Minister said Sri Lankan government would try to  repatriate Sri Lankans who wish to return. “There are some Sri Lankans  who are volunteering to stay on and work for the Russian military,” he  added.   

Also, the Minister said there are a few Sri Lankans who work  for the Ukrainian military as well but it is a small number compared to 400  ex-servicemen who work for the Russian military.