Russian Ambassador in Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan slammed a “powerful Western country” for its comments, published in an article in yesterday’s edition of the Daily Mirror, regarding Sri Lankans who were part of his country’s war against Ukraine. 

Pic by Pradeep Pathirana     

• Sri Lanka asks for meeting with Russian FM to discuss repatriation

By Shehan Daniel  

Slamming a “powerful Western country” for its double standard and hypocrisy, Russia’s ambassador to Sri Lanka Levan Dzhagaryan said steps will be taken to assist in the repatriation of hundreds of ex-Sri Lankan military personnel in Russia, who are involved in his country’s conflict against Ukraine.    

The ambassador’s comments came in reference to an article published in yesterday’s (June 30) edition of the Daily Mirror, which highlighted the concerns of a “powerful Western country” over ex-military personnel from Sri Lanka joining Russia’s battle in Ukraine.  

“I understand which country is in your mind but reveal the name of this country? What about Ukrainian military? There were also some Sri Lankans joining Ukrainians. And nothing (has been said). This powerful Western country is not concerned, because it is a clear demonstration of their double standards and hypocrisy,” the ambassador claimed.   

“I don’t want to pronounce it, but you know it, and I know it, and everyone knows about it. Let’s not allow (another country) to interfere in this case, and spoil our traditional friendly relations,” he added.  

While admitting that some of the ex-serviceman were intentional in their purpose of travelling to Russia, State Minister of Foreign Affairs Tharaka Balasuriya also claimed others were duped by various agents.  

“The people who have gone to Russia have gone through different means. Most have gone through visit visas, and they have gone through India or the Middle East, and they have been duped by various nefarious agents, some of whom have been arrested,” State Minister Balasuriya said.  

“Some of those who travelled to Russia said that they would not be used for any fighting, but we have reports that they have been put to the front,” the State Minister added.  

As a first step in the repatriation process, Sri Lankan diplomats stationed in Russia were scheduled to meet members of the Russian Ministry of Defence last evening, with State Minister Balasuriya hoping to secure a meeting with his Russian counterparts early next month.  

It comes after Foreign Minister Ali Sabry announced on Thursday, that ex-military personnel would require a clearance from the country’s Defence Ministry when applying for visit visas to Russia.  

“First thing is, we need to stop people from going to Russia, and (secondly) ensure that Sri Lankans in Russia are not deployed in the military front. The third step is to bring back anyone who does not want to be there, and we want to work with the Russian authorities, to bring them back as soon as possible,” the State Minister added.  

As of now, 455 complaints have been received on a hotline set up by the Ministry of Defence for the next-of-kin of these Sri Lankans, who have travelled to Russia.   

“But it doesn’t mean that everyone who has gone to Russia has reported their cases to the Ministry of Defence, so it could be higher than that. Our embassy in Russia has got reports that 16 people are missing. We have 37 people as injured but don’t have the exact number of fatalities. It’s very difficult to ascertain the numbers when the totalities of people who have gone to Russia is unknown,” State Minister Balasuriya also said.  

Of that number, 26 people had already been repatriated, after they reported to the country’s embassy in Russia.  

However, Ambassador Dzhagaryan could not confirm or deny reports that some of these ex-serviceman had signed contracts with Russian authorities before leaving the island.  

“I don’t know, but I heard about some agencies in Sri Lanka. I don’t have any information because to me it is a great surprise. They are applying to the Consul section in a legal basis and we were unaware of what was going on,” he further claimed.  

There was no impediment on foreign national fighting for Russia, Dzhagaryan added.  

“President Putin clarified many times that if any foreigner voluntarily joins Russian forces, there is no objection. Because look at the other side, how many mercenaries are fighting for Ukraine. But Western media prefers to keep silent about it,” the ambassador said.