Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Thursday Jan 09, 2025
Thursday, 9 January 2025 01:40 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
The Public Security Ministry yesterday confirmed that over 100 Rohingya people rescued and currently held in Mullaitivu will be deported if they are proven to be victims of a human trafficking scandal.
On 19 December 2024, the Sri Lanka Navy apprehended a multi-day trawler carrying 115 Rohingya people, including 25 children, from Myanmar, which drifted towards the coast of Mullivaikkal in Mullaitivu.
Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala told Daily FT yesterday that according to investigations held so far, it has proved that the Rohingya people who came in the multi-day vessel are illegal immigrants of an organised human trafficking scandal. “It has revealed that the majority of them have paid money to some agent or agents in Myanmar to enter Sri Lanka and the investigating authorities are conducting further inquiries to find the masterminds behind this scandal,” he said.
Minister Wijepala said that according to intelligence sources, there were plans to bring over 100,000 Rohingya people to Sri Lanka as refugees under the same scandal.
“We cannot afford to open doors for illegal immigrants to Sri Lanka as it will create more economic and social issues in the country,” he said.
However, Minister Wijepala said that if they proved to be refugees, they would be treated and provided with all necessary humanitarian assistance under the international law related to refugees.
He said at the moment, the Foreign Ministry is holding discussions with the Myanmar Government regarding illegal Rohingya immigrants, while law enforcement authorities are conducting investigations into links for the involvement of local agents in this scandal.
“However, according to investigations and intelligence information received so far, it clearly shows that it is a human trafficking scandal and that they are not refugees,” he confirmed, adding that until they are deported, these people will be provided all necessary humanitarian assistance.
