France deports 46 illegal Lankan immigrants

France last week deported 46 Sri Lankan migrants who arrived illegally by boat on the French territory of Réunion on 24 December 2022.

This return took place after exhaustion of the legal remedies filed by these illegal migrants with the French authorities of Réunion and following a decision of deportation taken by the administrative authority.

“People who wish to travel illegally to French territory should know that any adventure of this type is pointless. Without scruples, the smugglers extract all their wealth from candidates for illegal immigration and force them into heavy debt. 

“The journey by boat, for long weeks and in extremely precarious conditions, is particularly dangerous and puts the lives of migrants, sometimes children, in serious danger,” the French Embassy said in a statement.

“The fight against human smuggling and smugglers is a priority for France, which works in close cooperation with the countries of departure to increase its effectiveness. This Embassy emphasises in this respect the excellent operational cooperation that exists with Sri Lanka, in compliance with our respective legislations,” it added.