By Amidst the escalating war in Ukraine, there is a high demand for ex-Sri Lankan soldiers with combat experience and reportedly,, a large number are to join the foreign leagion of soldiers
Informed sources confirmed to Lanka News Line that legally retired military personnel with battlefield experience are drawn by enticing remuneration of over Rs 1 million per month.
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Turkey is urging those who have enlisted in the Ukrainian Defense Force’s International Legion to promptly provide their names to the embassy.
The embassy acknowledged that three Sri Lankans have perished on the Ukrainian war front, one of whom was Mr. Ranishka Hewage. It is awaiting official confirmation from Ukrainian authorities regarding all three Sri Lankans. Until their remains are retrieved by the Ukrainian military, Ukrainian defence authorities consider them missing in action. The Sri Lankan Embassy, based in Ankara, is accredited to Ukraine.
Ambassador Hasanthi Dissanayake admited that the embassy lacks details of Sri Lankans registered as soldiers in Ukraine, making it challenging to obtain updates on their status.”Only Ranish was registered with the embassy as a military professional, allowing us to collaborate with Ukrainian authorities,” Ms. Dissanayake stated.
Andrew Ranish Hewage, a 43-year-old former Sri Lankan Army commando, was initially deployed to Kharkiv in July 2022. With experience in the Sri Lanka Light Infantry and commando regiments, Ranish was well-known as “Captain Dentist” on the Ukrainian battlefield, leading the First Special Force of the International Legion for the Defense of Ukraine.
On December 4, a Russian artillery attack claimed his life, along with two fellow Sri Lankan native Ukrainian soldiers who were with him. Another wounded Sri Lankan currently undergoing treatment has verified the passing of Capt. Ranish
“His mother and sister are currently in Ukraine, and we are working with them as well,” Ms. Dissanayake stated
International Volunteers of Ukraine declared that Capt. Ranish died on the battlefield in Bakhmut, and the organization is constructing a memorial.
“We have obtained information about a small number of soldiers. However, (Sri Lankan) former soldiers are joining the battlefield by enlisting independently and being directly recruited. We don’t even have a list of their names,” she explained.
