Sri Lanka Navy arrested 22 persons attempting to flee to Australia

Sri Lankan Navy has foiled one more human trafficking racket near Rakawa in Tangalle, on the land, on a well coordinated operation carried out close to mid-night on 06th January 2012.

The Sri Lanka Navy with the assistance of the Criminal Investigation Department arrested 22 persons attempting to flee the country seeking illegal entry into Australia. The main operative involved was also taken into custody and investigations are underway to trace the rest.

According to Sri Lanka Navy spokesperson Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya, the arrest was made at Rakawa in Tangalle on reliable information received. The provisions made ready for the illegal journey were too taken into custody at the rendezvous point.

He added that search operations are under way to track down the vessel which was to take the arrested group onboard for the escapade.

He said out of the arrested person 19 were Tamils and others Sinhalese.

Over the recent years vigilant SLN troops have foiled several illegal human smuggling attempts targeting Australia as destination. Sri Lankans are reminded not to fall into traps laid by human traffickers and take hazardous risks at seeking illegal entry into Australia.

- Asian Tribune -