Major human trafficking racket busted

Shirajiv Sirimanne

The Fraud Bureau of Investigations has busted a major human trafficking operation to Canada and apprehended many suspects including the local mastermind. Headquarters Inspector of the Bureau, Priyanka Wijenayake said that the local master mind behind this operation was arrested in Colombo on Friday night.

"Over 169 Sri Lankans were taken in a ship to an African country where they were detained on suspicion. After being questioned they had said that they were charged between Rs. 300,000 to Rs. 800, 000 to be provided employment or political asylum in Canada. The African state was the final point before entering Canada",he said.

"Over 110 people have now been deported to Sri Lanka and the Police is recording statements from them", he said.

He said that they have received information that the money collected from this operation is being diverted to LTTE funds which is a very serious issue.

We have also traced the main suspect as being a former LTTE member operating in Singapore Malaysia Canada and Europe. The bureau would soon issue an Interpol warrant against him as he is also being wanted by Canadian law enforcement officials.

In addition they are also on the look out for four other suspects in Colombo and in the Eastern Province as well. The investigation was led by bureau Director, John Mark, and was assisted by Sub inspector (Int.) SI Chaminda, Sergeant, Dharmasena, Gunatillike and Ganganath.