Nearly 150 illegal migrants nabbed in three days

Ridma DISSANAYAKE

The total number of asylum seekers apprehended by the Navy during this year is 1,848. Pictures courtesy: Navy Media Unit

The Navy arrested 151 persons illegally heading for Australia during the past three days. The total number of asylum seekers apprehended by the Navy during this year now is 1,848, sources said.

The Navy arrested 146 persons on September 8. They were arrested with two multi - day trawlers named Theres Nilusha and Mangala, illegally heading for Australia, 20 nautical miles east of Trincomalee.

The trawlers were brought to the Trincomalee Harbour with 146 persons including 132 Tamils, 10 Sinhalese and four Muslims on board.

Among the arrested included 107 males, 16 women and 23 children. They are residents of Jaffna, Mullaithivu, Vavuniya, Batticaloa, Arachchikattuwa, Chilaw, Kilinochchi, Trincomalee and Mannar.

Another 45 were apprehended by the Navy, 20 nautical miles off Negombo on September 10. The trawler named Shaini Baba was also intercepted along with the asylum seekers. Among the arrested were 35 Tamils, nine Sinhalese and a Muslim. They are residents of Negombo, Mullaithivu, Vavuniya, Mannar, Jaffna, Kalmunai, Hatton, Trincomalee and Wennappuwa.

The 151 asylum seekers who attempted to leave for Australia illegally were handed over the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations.