Navy foils human smuggling attempt
 

On receipt of intelligence information, naval personnel attached to the Northwestern Naval Command in coordination with Arachchikattuwa Police foiled a human smuggling attempt and arrested 32 persons along with a trawler yesterday (30 November).

Based on information received, a suspicious boat movement had been observed by the Navy in the seas 05 nm off Naguleliya coast. The Navy had deployed an Inshore Patrol Craft to intercept the suspicious trawler and apprehended the suspects onboard. The suspects have been identified as residents of Udappuwa, Mannar and Jaffna area and it is believed that they are on an illegal migration attempt to Australia via sea. The arrested suspects and boat were handed over to the Arachchikattuwa Police for onward investigations.