70 SL asylum seekers saved from watery grave

24 July 2013 09:31 am - 3 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

At least 70 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were in distress, 290 nautical miles south east of Sri Lanka were rescued today by a merchant vessel after being informed by the Sri Lanka Navy.

Navy spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said the navy sent out messages to several merchant ships in the vicinity to locate the troubled fishing trawler
“The merchant ship located the fishing trawler which was in international waters. So we took steps to inform several merchant ships going through the channel which we believed to be the possible location of the ship,” he said. “A large number of merchant vessels use the route.”

Commander Wanrakulasuriya said the merchant ship was requested to transfer the refugees to the vessel so that our Navy vessels could take them aboard at the International Maritime Boundary Line.

The Navy was informed by the Galle DIG’s office on Tuesday evening about the fishing trawler. Therefore it is believed that they had left Sri Lanka from a location in the Galle area.

The police have taken steps to identify the individuals who had boarded the fishing trawler and a special probe is underway to track down the local facilitators.

Despite Australia -- a possible destination or a perceived haven for asylum seekers -- introducing several restrictions including the threat of deportation to the country of origin, the attempts to flee Sri Lanka have increased.

Potential asylum seekers have being warned not to fall prey to designing human traffickers but sadly all such warnings go unheeded. (SD)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 3

Ranjith Silva Wednesday, 24 July 2013 10:42 AM

And a good news about saving lives. Tks for all those brave and big hear gentlemen. Life is a life, irrespective of rich, poor or nationality.

Z.A.M.Shukoor Wednesday, 24 July 2013 12:07 PM

Well done Hon.Dayasiri Jayasekera ! despite being rotten in the UNP you have taken a wise decision to Join the GOVT.Join hand with us & let us serve the people of Sri Lanka .

Secretary SLFP Branch Dippitiya ,Aranayaka

namal Wednesday, 24 July 2013 01:47 PM

These people could be 'Kallathonis'? or Muslims from Minamar? this may be the new trick? Be vijilant people. Our Authorities can be bought. .. so many try to invade this country by this sort of ways. Army should be more brainy.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

70 SL asylum seekers saved from watery grave

Comments - 3

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

Corporal from Air Force Rugby pool killed in police shootout

Sri Lanka defaults on USD 6 billion payment despite rising reserves: Patali

No decision to declare April 15 as public holiday

April 15 declared a government holiday

Suspicious death of 23-year-old woman at hotel sparks concerns

Belgian traveller scammed in Kalutara

MIRROR CRICKET

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

Amir, Wasim return to Pakistan national team

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Ruwan calls on Kotte Sri Kalyani Mahanayake Thera

Effectiveness of Sri Lanka’s legal system is questioned over alleged corruption: Chief Delegate

Public inconvenienced due to lack of transport

Ex-soldiers joining Russian military as mercenaries, Sri Lanka seeks details

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Security raised for Champions League ties after threat

SLA target four events at Paris Olympic Games

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win