Australia - bound boat intercepted

The Navy arrested 11 persons who attempted to flee to Australia illegally in a multi-day trawler on Saturday.

The trawler named Udayanga Putha with 11 on board was intercepted by a Fast Naval Patrol Craft attached to the Southern Naval Command, 93 nautical miles off Great Basses Light House.

The suspects are residents of Tangalle and Dickwella. They were escorted to the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour and handed over to Matara Police.

Meanwhile, the Navy arrested five persons with a haul of conch shells.

They were arrested while transferring 1,096 conch shells at Kurikadduwan Jetty. The suspects and the items were handed over to Kayts Police.