100 would be refugees arrested

30 October 2010 02:48 am - 15 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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OTTAWA - More than 100 Sri Lankan’s were arrested in Thailand in a bust that local media and police in that country say is connected to human smuggling.

"We are aware that Thai authorities detained over 100 people who were apparently illegally in their country and who were apparently intending to come to Canada though a smuggling operation," Canadian Immigration Minister Jason Kenney told QMI Agency.

In the summer, the government boosted its co-operation with Thailand and other countries in South Asia as the MV Sun Sea ship travelled toward Canada. The ship sailed to Canada from Thailand with nearly 500 ethnic Tamils from Sri Lanka seeking refugee status.

"Canada has increased its police and intelligence presence in the region," Kenney said.

Just over two weeks ago, Thai police arrested 155 Sri Lankan nationals who were also believed to be headed for Canada aboard a human-smuggling ship.

"There are multiple syndicates that are basically criminal gangs, quite sophisticated, working in the region, selling the dream of coming to Canada," Kenney said.

The government insists it's targeting the criminals behind those syndicates and trying to take away their customer base through C-49.

Liberal immigration critic Justin Trudeau said the Conservative government should work with the governments where these ships launch to go after the criminals and not the would-be refugees. (torontosun)

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Comments - 15

NADARAJAH SETHURUPAN Saturday, 30 October 2010 06:08 AM

They are only economic asylum seeker not political asylum seeker.

TDDC Saturday, 30 October 2010 06:42 AM

Canada is a large and developed country should help these helpless people.

Premalal Saturday, 30 October 2010 06:42 AM

Nadarajah you cannot categories asylum seekers as that.

Ranjith Saturday, 30 October 2010 06:51 AM

Its Few tamils were done thisearlier, but now UNJ and JVP also running away.

dil Saturday, 30 October 2010 07:56 AM

This reminds me of Zimbabwe!!!!

dutugamunu Saturday, 30 October 2010 08:29 AM

Ohh Canada !!! too late !! After some time they will declear a ELAM

RajasH Saturday, 30 October 2010 08:36 AM

Nadarajah a sinhala masquerading as Tamil. You are right not political not economical but refugees in their own land seeking to escape a torturous life.

Ranjit Saturday, 30 October 2010 08:37 AM

Very soon there will be Sinhalese political asylum seeker from UNP and JVP fleeing SL Kingdom. Then SL will be the second United Kingdom under King Mahinda.

NADARAJAH SETHURUPAN Saturday, 30 October 2010 10:02 AM

99% of Tamil migrants are “bogus” asylum seekers in the world.

Renuka Jayarathne Saturday, 30 October 2010 11:02 AM

How well do you know Zimbabwe?

dil Saturday, 30 October 2010 11:15 AM

definitely better than u Renuka!!!!

sam Saturday, 30 October 2010 12:44 PM

Canadian tuthorities should have a hard look at leading Tamil organizations operating from Canada. Now they are earning their money thisway.

kumar Saturday, 30 October 2010 04:13 PM

Only the ones who support ltte

ampara son Saturday, 30 October 2010 07:42 PM

get student visa. come thatway.

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100 would be refugees arrested

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