Stern action against illegal migrants

Sandasen MARASINGHE

SP Ajith Rohana

Police Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said that the Police would take stern action against those who who attempt to migrate to other countries illegally as most of them seek asylum in those countries alleging baseless reasons that tarnish the country’s image.

He made this comment in connection with the arrest of 11 persons in Puttlam who were preparing to flee to Australia. He also said nine of the suspects were from Batticaloa while the other two were from Mullativu.

He added most of the incidents in the recent past involved migrants, including the incident where 113 persons attempted to illegally migrate.

The Police Spokesman said the Police would take stern action against such racketeers as these persons sought asylum in the countries submitting fake documents with baseless allegations which does immense damage to the country’s image.

He also advised the youth who attempt to migrate by illegal means not to be mislead by racketeers and get stranded at mid sea or marooned on a remote island far away from their destination.

SP Ajith Rohana further said that the Police had found the whereabouts of the absconding suspects of the Puttlam incident and a special Police team has been deployed to arrest them.

Be cautious of your close associates, warns Police Spokesman

Sandasen MARASINGHE

Police Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said people should be cautious of their close associates and their kinsmen, if they are victims of a ransom demand.

He also said the Police will take prompt action in connection with such crimes which affect the image of the country. He advised the public to inform the authorities of such crimes without resorting to other courses of action.

The Police Spokesman said two persons who posed off as Criminal Investigation Department (CID) officers and demanded a ransom from two women were arrested on Monday evening.

He also said the two suspects had threatened to arrest the women residing in Colombo 4 along with their daughters.

SP Ajith Rohana said the two suspects had demanded a payment of 25,000 sterling pounds for not arresting the women and their children.

He further said the Police found in most of the ransom cases the victims were either Tamil or Muslim and also that the culprits were known to them.

“The public should not hesitate to inform the nearest Police any other authority about such crimes,” SP Ajith Rohana said.

The suspects of the Colombo 4 ransom incident were to be produced before the Hulftsdorp Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The CID is conducting further investigations.