Sri Lanka demanded compensation from Russia for its citizens killed in the war

"During the conversation, 17 Sri Lankan citizens were killed in the fighting, compensation for the killed and wounded, the situation of Sri Lankans who cannot be contacted, the possibility of voluntary return, the early termination of contracts and the regulation of monetary relations were discussed." , the statement said.

The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not provide information about the details of the meeting. According to the Department's message, during the last meeting with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Andrey Rudenko, the parties discussed "urgent issues on the agenda of the two countries" and expressed mutual interest in maintaining the dynamics of bilateral dialogue, "relations in the political, trade and economic spheres" were reviewed.

For information, in May 2024, the Sri Lankan government began an investigation into the recruitment of citizens of the country for the war in Ukraine. According to Sri Lankan officials, at least 17 people were killed, 37 were injured and more than a dozen may have been taken prisoner.

The country's foreign minister, Taraka Balasuriya, said on May 30 that Sri Lankan citizens were tricked into Russia with promises of good salaries and benefits, including Russian citizenship. According to him, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received 455 appeals from citizens on this topic. According to AFP, Sri Lankans were promised a salary of more than 2,000 euros a month, about 13 times their average income.