Navy concerned over increase in boat people to Réunion Island

• 211 Sri Lankans reached French Réunion Island illegally in 2019
• Sri Lanka, Australia working closely to stop illegal immigration 
• Navy now better equipped to stop smuggling

The Navy yesterday expressed concern that human smuggling from Sri Lanka may be trending west towards French Réunion Island, signalling a change from Australia as the preferred destination. 

According to the Navy, nearly 211 Sri Lankans had illegally reached the French territory of Réunion Island which lies east of Madagascar and southwest of Mauritius in 2019. Of the 211 people, 166 have been repatriated to Sri Lanka. 

The Navy and other agencies intercepted 164 Sri Lankan attempting to make the journey to Réunion Island. During the last 10 years, the Navy and other law enforcement agencies intercepted 4763 individuals who were attempting to migrate illegally.   

The latest attempt disrupted by the Navy saw four individuals detained in Trincomalee on 30 December after a deep-sea fishing vessel was found abandoned near the Coast. 31 men, 6 women, 7 children and a 6 member crew had planned to make the journey by sea to the French territory, Navy Spokesman Lt. Cmdr. Isuru Sooriyabandara said at a press conference held today. The Navy suspects that Rs. 500,000 was charged from each passenger by the human smugglers. 

The Navy is now better equipped with advanced technology and vessels to detect and intercept smuggling attempts, Sooriyabandara warned, pointing out that that Sri Lanka works closely with regional and international stakeholders to share intelligence and information regarding transnational criminal activities and security matters at sea. 

“Sri Lanka has a good relationship with the United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC), and has a Joint Working Group with Australia, which used to be a key target country for human smuggling from Sri Lanka, until consolidated efforts by both countries reduced success. Sri Lanka coordinates information sharing with French authorities via diplomatic channels,” Sooriyabandara added. 

A message issued by the Commander of Australia’s ‘Operation Sovereign borders’, Maj. Gen Craig Furini, reiterate Australia’s stance on illegal immigration. “You risk your life and you have zero chance of success. Australia’s tough border protection policies mean no one who travels illegally by boat will ever be allowed to live or work in Australia,” Furini states.  

Sooriyabandara warned the public not to be fooled by the offers made by people smugglers, pointing out that it was very risky to make such sea voyages in small and ill-equipped vessels. Last year, a Sri Lankan fishing vessel smuggling more than 40 individuals suffered engine trouble and was adrift in the high seas for several days, before a Royal Australia Air Force (RAAF) maritime patrol aircraft detected the troubled vessel and alerted the Sri Lanka Navy, which dispatched a patrol vessel to rescue those in distress.