Navy foils illegal migrating attempt

Navy apprehend 78 individuals who are on migrating attempt to a foreign country during search operations in seas off Batticaloa and in Kaluwankeni, Batticaloa on July 10 night.

The Fast Attack Craft P 491 of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla in the Eastern Naval Command intercepted and searched a local multiday fishing trawler during a search operation in seas off Batticaloa on the night of July 10. In this search, the Navy apprehended 61 individuals who were suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country via sea. Among the apprehended individuals were 43 males including six individuals, seven females and 11 children. The Navy also held the local multiday fishing trawler.

Twenty one of those people were brought to the Trincomalee Harbour by an SLN Fast Attack Craft July 11 morning. The other 40 persons along with the fishing trawler were brought to the Trincomalee Harbour. and handed over to the Trincomalee Harbour Police.

The SLNS Kashyapa in the Eastern Naval Command and Kalawanchikudi STF mounted another search operation in the beach area of Kaluwankeni, Batticaloa on July 10.

The coordinated operation led to the apprehension of 17 individuals who were suspected to be remaining at the beach to migrate to a foreign country. There were 16 males and one female. The raiding party also seized a van.

The individuals held in Kaluwankeni were identified as residents of Jaffna, Batticaloa, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu and Kurunegala. The suspects along with the van were handed over to the Eravur Police.