As part of her official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia, Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Cambodia, E.A.S. Wijayanthi Edirisinghe paid a courtesy call on Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Sar Sokha at the Ministry of Interior on 04 August 2026. The meeting underscored the shared commitment of Sri Lanka and Cambodia to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in addressing transnational organized crime, combating cyber-enabled fraud and human trafficking, and enhancing consular collaboration.

Welcoming the Ambassador, Minister Sar Sokha reaffirmed the Royal Government of Cambodia’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Sri Lanka in addressing common security challenges. He emphasized the importance of close collaboration among the relevant law enforcement, immigration and other competent authorities of the two countries through information sharing, institutional cooperation and capacity-building initiatives to combat cybercrime, human trafficking, online scam operations and other forms of transnational organized crime. He also welcomed the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Cambodia as an additional channel for strengthening communication and practical cooperation on consular matters and assistance to Sri Lankan nationals in Cambodia.

In response, the Ambassador conveyed the sincere appreciation of the Government of Sri Lanka to the Ministry of Interior and the relevant Cambodian law enforcement, immigration and other competent authorities for the invaluable cooperation extended to the Embassy in facilitating the rescue, temporary shelter, immigration formalities and repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals who had fallen victim to online scam operations and human trafficking networks in Cambodia. She acknowledged the professionalism and close coordination demonstrated by the Cambodian authorities in addressing these complex humanitarian and law enforcement challenges.

The Ambassador highlighted that the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of Sri Lanka in Cambodia marked an important milestone in Sri Lanka’s engagement with Cambodia and would further strengthen institutional cooperation between the Embassy and the Ministry of Interior in facilitating consular assistance to Sri Lankan nationals. In this context, she requested the continued support of the Ministry in expediting immigration clearance, exit visa procedures and other administrative formalities to ensure the safe and timely repatriation of Sri Lankan nationals who had fallen victim to online scam operations and human trafficking. She also proposed the designation of focal points between the relevant authorities of the two countries to facilitate timely communication and information sharing on consular matters involving Sri Lankan nationals.

The Ambassador further underscored the importance of enhancing cooperation between the relevant law enforcement agencies of Sri Lanka and Cambodia through the exchange of operational information, capacity-building initiatives, technical cooperation and the exploration of an institutional framework, including a Memorandum of Understanding, to strengthen joint efforts in combating cybercrime, human trafficking, illegal migration, document fraud and other forms of transnational organized crime. Emphasizing the need to identify and dismantle criminal recruitment networks operating across borders through fraudulent overseas employment schemes, she reaffirmed Sri Lanka’s commitment to working closely with Cambodia and ASEAN partners to address emerging regional security challenges and promote peace, security and the rule of law.

The meeting concluded with both sides reaffirming their shared commitment to maintaining close coordination and strengthening practical cooperation between the relevant authorities of Sri Lanka and Cambodia to effectively address transnational crime and enhance the protection and welfare of their respective nationals.

The meeting was attended by Minister Counsellor and Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Sri Lanka, Thilini Ihalage and Honorary Consul of Sri Lanka in the Kingdom of Cambodia, Pily Wong.

Embassy and Permanent Mission of Sri Lanka
Bangkok

14 August 2026