Sri Lanka Navy on Thursday has apprehended 41 Sri Lankans illegally sailing for Australia in a multi-day trawler in deep seas off the southern coast.

Having spotted a suspicious boat movement at deep sea south of the island, the Sri Lanka Navy launched a special operation to inspect the suspicious vessel.

The Navy intercepted the suspicious trawler plying about 715 nautical miles off the Dondra Lighthouse and held the group of Sri Lankans attempting to migrate via sea.

Among the arrested persons are 35 men and six women. It is further reported that there are seven children from six to 16 years of age among the group.

The Navy said since they remain vigilant over the possible sea-borne migration of accomplices who assisted the terror attacks on the Easter Sunday, there would be no opportunity for illegal migrations and warned that such attempts would finally land the migrants in jail.

The Navy reiterated that its strong network of surveillance and regular patrols are in place to nip such illegal migration efforts in the bud and nullify all other forms of illegal acts taking place at sea. This year alone, 71 illegal migrants have been arrested, the Navy said.

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