Navy busts large-scale human smuggling racket

Suraj A. Bandara

A large-scale human smuggling racket which had been operating for a long time to send people illegally by sea was identified by the Naval Intelligence Unit yesterday. Sri Lanka Navy Spokesman Captain Athula Senarath told the Daily News that five people have been arrested in this connection and investigations are being conducted to arrest all who were involved in it.

The arrested were residents of Horagolla, Ganemulla, Maho, Modera, Marawila and Chilaw. They had operated from a tourist resort centre in Marawila.

They had taken large sums of money initially, Rs 600,000 per person as advance to send them to Australia. The balance was to be paid at the end of the journey, the spokesman said.

The main suspect who facilitated the others to conduct this racket is also in custody. They were smuggling people illegally by using a multi-day fishing boat. The Navy Intelligence Unit is investigating whether these human smugglers have had any connections with maritime terrorists and criminals.

He warned the public not to be deceived by such smugglers and not to make any payments to travel illegally by sea. Investigations are being conducted by the Marawila Navy camp.