General Kamal Gunarathna Didn’t Say He is Unaware that  Retired Sri Lankan Soldiers Joining the Ukraine-Russia Conflict

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Hundreds of retired army soldiers and other individuals are currently involved in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict as part of various mercenary groups. In Sri Lanka, there is a growing trend of disseminating misleading information about this situation, contributing to confusion and misunderstanding among the public.

Social Media Posts

Social media posts claim that Sri Lankan Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunarathna stated he was not aware of retired soldiers from the Sri Lanka Army joining the Ukrainian-Russian conflict.

FB | Archived

We decided to do a fact check on this.

Fact Check:

Upon investigation, the claim circulating on social media that Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunarathna said he was unaware of retired Sri Lankan soldiers joining the Ukraine-Russia conflict is false. Here’s a breakdown of the verified facts:

Main Stream Media and Initial Investigation:

An initial search of main stream media platforms revealed no direct statements from General Kamal Gunarathna indicating he was unaware of the involvement of retired soldiers in the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Statements and Warnings:

Contrary to the claims, General Kamal Gunarathna has indeed addressed the issue. He has warned retired army soldiers and the general public not to fall prey to recruitment mafias that entice individuals to join mercenary armies fighting in the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He further says the Criminal Investigation Department of the island nation is investigating the people behind this mafia.

Government Information Department:

The Government Information Department of Sri Lanka released a statement on May 8th quoting General Kamal Gunarathna. This statement clearly indicates his awareness and concern regarding the issue, directly contradicting the social media claims.

His statement can be watched here

Defence Spokesman Confirmation:

Defence spokesman Colonel Nalin Herath confirmed that General Kamal Gunarathna did not make any statement suggesting unawareness of retired soldiers joining the conflict. This further substantiates the inaccuracy of the social media claims.

Reports of Sri Lankan Soldiers in Ukraine-Russia Conflict:

It is frequently reported that hundreds of retired Sri Lankan soldiers, along with other individuals, have joined the war in Ukraine and Russia in recent months. Tragically, dozens of these individuals have been killed. One of the primary motivations for their involvement has been the promise of attractive salaries, reported to be over one million Sri Lankan Rupees per month.

International Media Coverage:

International media outlets, including Al Jazeera, have reported on the plight and tragic stories of Sri Lankan soldiers who have joined the conflict. These reports highlight the personal and financial motivations behind their decisions.Reports can be read here and here

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Conclusion:

The claim that Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunarathna stated he was unaware of retired Sri Lankan soldiers joining the Ukrainian-Russian conflict is false. Verified statements from General Gunarathna and confirmations from defence officials clarify that he has addressed and warned against such activities. The issue of retired soldiers joining the conflict is well-documented, with international media also covering the stories extensively.