TNA candidate revealed as kingpin in human smuggling racket

Yasaratne GAMAGE

Three persons, including a candidate for the upcoming Provincial Council elections in the Eastern Province, were arrested by the CID in connection with a mega human smuggling racket where more than Rs 25 million had been swindled from unsuspecting people who sought asylum in other countries, Police Media Spokesman SP Ajith Rohana said yesterday.

The main suspects, who were arrested, had been directly involved in smuggling 82 persons in two vessels (Namo Maria and Sinhale ) on July 11 and another 53 persons on July 20 to Christmas Islands.

Investigations revealed the suspects had charged between Rs 200,000 to Rs 1,200,000 from each person.

SP Rohana said the main suspect in the human smuggling racket was a member of the Tamil National Alliance (TNA) and a candidate for the local council elections in the East scheduled for September.

He is also the former chairman of Kadawath Sathara Pradeshiya Sabha and resigned to compete in the upcoming election.

"There were reports of attempts by people to go overseas by boat illegally over the past few days. We had reported how the Diaspora may also be involved in human smuggling and that has now been confirmed with the arrest of the suspect," the Police spokesman said.

He said those who are arrested in connection with human smuggling are not granted bail and will be produced in court under the Immigration and Emigration Act No 45.

From January 1 this year up to date, 620 persons were arrested while attempting to leave the country illegally while 40 of those arrested were human smuggling racket operators. The Police request the public to be vigilant of these masked politicians who pose as saviors of innocent people but cheat the public behind the scene.