Cybercrime Captives: Sri Lanka PM Requests Thai Assistance in Rescue Operation

Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister, Harini Amarasuriya, has reached out to the Thai government, seeking assistance in rescuing Sri Lankan nationals being held captive in cybercriminal camps in the Myawaddy region of Myanmar. According to the Prime Minister’s office, Amarasuriya requested the support of the Thai government in conducting a rescue operation, in coordination with the Myanmar government and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The appeal was made during a meeting with the Thai Ambassador, Paitoon Mahapannaporn, held on October 10 at the Prime Minister’s office. Amarasuriya expressed gratitude for the assistance already provided in rescuing 28 Sri Lankan citizens from cybercriminal camps and requested further support to free an additional 40 compatriots still in captivity.

Ambassador Mahapannaporn congratulated Amarasuriya on her appointment as Prime Minister and discussed prospects for strengthening bilateral relations between Sri Lanka and Thailand. The conversation also touched upon the development of the tourism sector, the application of modern agricultural technologies, as well as joint research on post-harvest technologies and food processing by the faculties of agriculture at the Universities of Ruhuna and Wayamba.