Ukraine tight-lipped on Sri Lankans fighting there

Repeated requests not responded to

Sri Lanka understands ground realities involved in delay in a war situation   

By Kelum Bandara   

Ukraine remains tight-lipped despite repeated requests by Sri Lanka to submit details about Sri Lankans fighting there, a top source said.  

The Foreign Ministry and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Ankara, Turkiye which is concurrently accredited to Ukraine formally requested the Ukrainian authorities two weeks ago to provide details about Sri Lankans who are in the war front at the moment. A reminder was also sent a week ago but no response is given yet. Besides, the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi also sought the details from the Ukrainian mission in India which is concurrently accredited to Sri Lanka.   

Daily Mirror learns that recruitments had been done in accordance with the law of that country. Also, the source said the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry is aware of the ground realities involved in delay in submitting details when that country is engulfed in a war situation.  

Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s efforts in securing the release of its nationals in the Russian war front have now hit a snag because Russia insists that such recruitments are in compliance with its law.  

Russia also sticks to the position that Sri Lankan nationals should honour the MoUs signed in joining its military to fight in the war against Ukraine.  However, the two countries are now seeking to resolve the matter diplomatically as otherwise it has implications on bilateral relations.  

It is learnt that over 400 Sri Lankans have travelled to Russia for fighting but a lesser number to Ukraine.