Retired Major General Ranaraja Ranawaka, network leader:
CID confirms deaths of six who had gone to Russia :
There has been no information regarding the safety of over 200 retired military personnel who have travelled to Russia to serve as mercenaries in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict, raising concerns about their safety for more than two weeks. Reports indicate that a significant number of these retired military personnel, who were part of a forward security contingent, have sustained injuries. One of the injured escaped the hospital and returned to Sri Lanka with the support of the Sri Lankan embassy in Russia.
This retired Army member who returned to Sri Lanka yesterday disclosed that the conflict is intensifying, resulting in numerous casualties. He noted that it remains unclear how many Sri Lankans are among the deceased, but mentioned that a substantial number of Sri Lankan military personnel are hospitalised.
The Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has confirmed the deaths of six individuals who had gone to Russia as mercenaries. A senior officer stated that while there are reports of numerous fatalities, the CID cannot verify these claims without specific details such as names and hometowns.
The CID is also conducting a thorough investigation into the alleged smuggling of retired Army personnel to Russia to work as mercenaries. Assistant Superintendent of Police Janakantha, who leads the investigation, reported the arrest of a retired Major General last night. He clarified that the individual arrested is Delkandura Archchilage Ranaraja Ranawaka and not Prasanna Ranawaka as initially reported. Janakantha explained that Major General Prasanna Ranawaka was not involved in the incident. Further investigations have identified the arrested Major General Ranaraja Ranawaka, residing at Kurunegala Lake Circle, as the leader of the network responsible for recruiting retired military personnel as mercenaries. It has been established that he retired from military service in 2019.
Gayan Kumara Weerasinghe