14 Sri Lankans attempted to illegally enter Réunion Island of France via sea repatriated to Sri Lanka by air

Authorities of the Réunion Island of France repatriated 14 Sri Lankan nationals to Sri Lanka by air on 22nd December 2023. Reportedly, the group of Sri Lankans was apprehended as they were attempting to migrate to the Réunion Island illegally by sea.

Amongst the group repatriated on UU 0050 aircraft, were 07 persons who migrated aboard the multi-day fishing trawler IMUL-A- 0813- KLT on 07th December 2023, 02 individuals who migrated aboard the multi-day fishing trawler IMUL-A- 0469 NBO on 22nd August 2022, 03 persons who migrated aboard the multi-day fishing trawler IMUL-A- 0014 CBO in 2018 and 02 individuals who migrated from Indonesia in 2019. They have been identified as residents of Beruwala, Chilaw and Kalawanchikudi areas from 21 to 60 years of age. The Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Sri Lanka Police are conducting further legal proceedings regarding these illegal immigrants.

The French government does not entertain the illegal entry of people to the Réunion Island and such people will be immediately repatriated upon apprehension. Hence, the Sri Lanka Navy is urging the public to avoid engaging in or supporting illegal migration orchestrated by human traffickers via sea.