Navy detects 82 boat people heading for Australia

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

Sri Lanka Navy intercepted two multi-day fishing trawlers transporting at least 82 would-be asylum seekers to Australia last morning. The interception was made 35 nautical miles south-east of Trincomalee.

“The intercepted trawlers were brought to the Trincomalee harbour with 82 persons, including 78 men, two women and two children on board. They were handed over to Trincomalee Harbour Police for further investigations, “Sri Lanka Navy Media Spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

The over-crowded trawlers with a large amount of provisions and personal belongings stacked inside were detected by two Fast Naval

Patrol Craft attached to the Eastern Naval Command. The passengers, who had opted for the perilous journey, were in grave danger in the choppy seas due to prevailing adverse weather conditions when the timely interception was made by the Navy preventing a human tragedy.