SLN arrests illegal asylum-seekers

Ridma Dissanayake and YASARATNE GAMAGE

The Navy intercepted a multi-day fishing trawler bound for Australia in the seas off Negombo on Friday . Nine Sri Lankans were on board intending to enter Australia illegally, they said. Initial investigations by the Navy revealed that more persons were to join at different locations.

The trawler was found by SLNS Fast Attack Craft with a large stock of food items, bottles of water and personal belongings of the passengers.

The arrested persons and the trawler were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for investigations.

The Daily News learns that the Police arrested 113 people attempting to go to Australia by boat illegally, last month. Earlier this month they arrested 53 illegal asylum seekers heading to Australia.

Meanwhile, Kataragama Police arrested five men who were planning to leave for Australia illegally. Acting on information, Police arrested the suspects aged 23, 24, 33, 40 and 54. The suspects are residents of Udappuwa, Vavuniya, Mullaitivu and Negombo.

The suspects told the Police they were waiting for the travel agent who promised to help them to go to Australia illegally.

A special team has been deployed to arrest the fraud job agent.

Kataragama Police are investigating.