During a search operation conducted by the Sri Lankan Navy on June 11, 2022 in the southeastern seas of the island, a local multi-day fishing trawler with 38 people suspected of attempting to emigrate illegally by sea was seized.
A Sri Lankan local fishing trawler carrying 38 people is suspected to have illegally migrated from the island to Australia during a search operation off the coast of Ampara on the afternoon of June 11.
Among those arrested were 26 men, 5 women and 7 children, including 6 involved in the scam. Along with the suspects, the fishing vessel used for this illegal activity was also in the possession of the Navy. Further investigations revealed that the engine of the multi-day trawler had malfunctioned. It was also revealed that the ship was unsuitable for long voyages.
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The arrested suspects are aged between 02 and 60 from Jaffna, Vavuniya, Valaichenai, Chilaw, Kalpitiya, Udappuwa, Ja-Ela and Negombo.
The Navy continues to advise the public not to fall prey to the law and to avoid falling into the trap of smugglers who claim to help evacuate innocent and dangerous seafarers from the island.
The Australian Government does not support such illegal immigrants who are arrested and deported immediately. Accordingly, the Australian Government deported 12 and 15 Sri Lankans on May 24 and June 09, respectively, after thwarting attempts to illegally immigrate to Australia by boat. Such illegal immigrants once deported will not be eligible for a valid visa to Australia.
It has been consistently observed that dilapidated fishing vessels are used for such voyages and that they are inaccessible to the sea. In this case, the navy has warned the public that their lives could be in grave danger if they try to evacuate by these ships.
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