Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism has confirmed that 59 Sri Lankans serving in the Russian Army have been killed in the ongoing war in Ukraine. The revelation was made during today’s parliamentary session in response to a query from MP Sivagnanam Shritharan.
Citing reports from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Russia, the minister disclosed that a total of 554 Sri Lankans had joined the Russian military. The minister further stated that there is no evidence indicating these individuals were recruited forcefully.
“As of January 20, 2025, we have confirmed that 59 Sri Lankans who joined the Russian military service have lost their lives in the Ukraine war,” the minister stated. He added that details about these individuals would be included in the official parliamentary Hansard records.
This announcement comes amidst ongoing concerns regarding foreign nationals joining the Russian military and the increasing casualties in the Ukraine conflict. The Sri Lankan government has not yet issued a formal statement on whether any measures will be taken regarding citizens enlisting in foreign military forces. However, the revelation has sparked discussions within the parliament on the safety and legal implications for Sri Lankans engaging in overseas military service.
The war in Ukraine, now entering its third year, has seen significant foreign involvement on both sides. The confirmation of Sri Lankan casualties highlights the broader impact of the conflict beyond Europe and raises questions about the recruitment of foreign nationals in war zones.
