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Retired Sri Lankan military personnel seeking employment in Russia and neighboring countries will be subjected to stringent background checks to prevent their engagement in combat roles under the guise of other employment.
This measure follows increasing reports of former Sri Lankan military personnel being recruited with lucrative offers to fight alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine. The trend highlights a growing global phenomenon where ex-military personnel are drawn into private military operations, often classified as mercenary activity.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that, as of January 20, 2024, the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the presence of 554 Sri Lankan military personnel engaged in combat in Russia. The reported death toll among these individuals stands at 59. Additionally, multiple families have reached out to the ministry, reporting missing relatives who had traveled to Russia without informing them of their intentions.
The Sri Lankan government has taken a firm stance against its retired military personnel participating in foreign conflicts. Measures are being put in place to ensure that overseas travel by former servicemen is for legitimate purposes only, and recruitment by private military groups is being closely monitored.
The recruitment of mercenaries is not unique to Sri Lanka. Reports indicate that Russia has been actively hiring foreign fighters, particularly through the Wagner Group and other private military companies. Mercenary trade is a growing global industry, with estimates suggesting that thousands of foreign fighters have been enlisted in Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. Countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and various African nations have also seen their ex-soldiers recruited into foreign wars.
This measure follows increasing reports of former Sri Lankan military personnel being recruited with lucrative offers to fight alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine. The trend highlights a growing global phenomenon where ex-military personnel are drawn into private military operations, often classified as mercenary activity.
Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath informed Parliament that, as of January 20, 2024, the Consular Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed the presence of 554 Sri Lankan military personnel engaged in combat in Russia. The reported death toll among these individuals stands at 59. Additionally, multiple families have reached out to the ministry, reporting missing relatives who had traveled to Russia without informing them of their intentions.
The Sri Lankan government has taken a firm stance against its retired military personnel participating in foreign conflicts. Measures are being put in place to ensure that overseas travel by former servicemen is for legitimate purposes only, and recruitment by private military groups is being closely monitored.
The recruitment of mercenaries is not unique to Sri Lanka. Reports indicate that Russia has been actively hiring foreign fighters, particularly through the Wagner Group and other private military companies. Mercenary trade is a growing global industry, with estimates suggesting that thousands of foreign fighters have been enlisted in Russia's military efforts in Ukraine. Countries such as Syria, Afghanistan, and various African nations have also seen their ex-soldiers recruited into foreign wars.
Billion Dollar Trade
The private military industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, with companies like the Wagner Group playing a key role in conflicts worldwide. The global private military and security industry was valued at approximately $224 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. Wagner Group alone was estimated to have an annual budget of over $1 billion, heavily financed by Russian state contracts and resource extraction deals in conflict zones like Africa and the Middle East. Experts suggest that economic hardship, lack of post-military employment opportunities, and attractive financial incentives—often exceeding $3,000 per month—are major factors driving ex-servicemen to accept such contracts.
As concerns rise about the risks associated with mercenary involvement, the Sri Lankan government is under pressure to strengthen regulations and international cooperation to prevent its citizens from being drawn into foreign conflicts.
The private military industry is estimated to be worth billions of dollars, with companies like the Wagner Group playing a key role in conflicts worldwide. The global private military and security industry was valued at approximately $224 billion in 2020 and is projected to grow significantly in the coming years. Wagner Group alone was estimated to have an annual budget of over $1 billion, heavily financed by Russian state contracts and resource extraction deals in conflict zones like Africa and the Middle East. Experts suggest that economic hardship, lack of post-military employment opportunities, and attractive financial incentives—often exceeding $3,000 per month—are major factors driving ex-servicemen to accept such contracts.
As concerns rise about the risks associated with mercenary involvement, the Sri Lankan government is under pressure to strengthen regulations and international cooperation to prevent its citizens from being drawn into foreign conflicts.
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