Five suspects including a retired Major General, who were arrested and remanded in connection with the human trafficking of retired military personnel as mercenaries to Russia through illegal channels, were again remanded until May 30 by Negombo Chief Magistrate Rakhitha Abeysinghe yesterday.
Five suspects including retired Major General Ranaraja Ranawaka, (59), resident of Welangollawatta, Kurunegala ,retired Sergeant Sarath Ramyarasiri Wijesinghe, a resident of Yantampalawa, Kurunegala and Major Wijebandara have been remanded again. The other two are agents living in Digana and Mawanella.
The Criminal Investigation Department has revealed to the Court that the retired Military personnel have been contacted through social media such as WhatsApp, and they have been promised high salaries and benefits in Russia by the suspects. However, it has been revealed that nothing has been given to them as promised.
The Criminal Investigation Department also mentioned before Court that these suspects have given various false promises to retired Army personnel to encourage them to go to Russia. It has been revealed not only the victims but also the families of the victims have been encouraged by promising various privileges.
