Navy arrests 18 Australia-bound illegal migrants

Sri Lanka Navy prevented an illegal migration attempt to Australia by boat and detained 18 would-be asylum seekers on Monday.

The naval personnel apprehended the 18 Sri Lankans who were heading towards Australia in the seas 40 nautical miles off Batticaloa on Monday morning. The migrants have left from Valaichchenai onboard a Multi-Day Fishing Vessel named “Blue Star”.

The Navy managed to seize them on a tip off received by intelligence persons and the suspects were brought to Trincomalee Harbor.

Subsequently the personnel were handed over to Criminal Investigation Department - Maritime Division for further investigations.

The Navy warned the general public not to involve in high risk sea-borne migration to Australia based on false information provided by human smugglers and reiterated that such attempts would finally end up getting arrested.

Further the Navy reminds of its strong network of intelligence and regular patrols put in place to nip such illegal migration efforts in the bud as the country is very strict with illegal migration attempts.