Navy apprehends 47 persons in western seas, while attempting to illegally migrate from island

A search operation carried out by the Navy in western seas off Negombo in the dark hours of 27th June 2022 led to the seizure of a local multiday fishing trawler with 47 persons, suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to Australia via sea.

In the search operation mounted in seas off Negombo on 27th June, SLNS Nandimithra managed to intercept a suspicious local multiday fishing trawler carrying this group of people who were suspected to be attempting to illegally migrate from the island to Australia. Among the apprehended individuals were 34 males including 05 persons involved in this racket, 06 females and 07 children. Along with the suspects, the fishing vessel used for this illegal act was also held by the Navy.

The suspects held in this operation are residents of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mannar, Wennappuwa, Nattandiya, Chilaw and Batticaloa, from 01 to 50 years of age. They will be handed over to the Colombo Harbour Police for onward legal proceedings.

The Navy urges the public to avoid being convicted before the law by being caught in the trap of smugglers who organize this nature of perilous voyages to earn a fast buck. Since the Australia's borders are closed to illegal maritime migration, such individuals will be detained and deported immediately, thus depriving them of the opportunity to legally immigrate to Australia in the future.