<h1>Sri Lanka Urges Russia to Halt Recruitment of Citizens; 59 Sri Lankans Reported Dead in Ukraine Conflict</h1> At least 59 out of 554 Sri Lankans recruited by Russia have died in the Ukraine conflict, as reported to the Sri Lankan parliament. The Foreign Minister stated that these individuals were not forcibly enlisted, and the government is negotiating with Russia to have them delisted and returned. Sri Lanka has urged Russia to stop recruiting its citizens for the war. Last year, Sri Lankan authorities arrested two retired generals and six others for illegally recruiting for Russian mercenary firms. Economic hardships in Sri Lanka have driven some former soldiers to join the conflict on both sides.