Sri Lanka acknowledged that 36 of its citizens, including children and women, entered Syria and some of them have joined the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria.

Speaking to BBC Sandeshaya, Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi said that these people have entered Syria after leaving the Sri Lanka to visit other countries.

According to reports received by the government, "only some of the 36 have joined ISIS" Hettiarachchi said.

The acknowledgement came after a recent report that 45 Sri Lankans have joined the ISIS. This is the first time the government has publicly acknowledged of Sri Lankans joining ISIS.

The ISIS earlier said that 16 Sri Lankans joined the organization along with the 'first ISIS fighter from Sri Lanka', who was known to the organization as Abu Shurayh As - Silani.