44 asylum seekers arrested

11 September 2011 06:17 am - 31 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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The Sri Lanka Navy arrested 44 persons who were heading to Australia in a trawler in the seas off Kalmunai this morning, Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

“The craft had left from Negombo and the place where the persons boarded the trawler is yet to be established. We would be bringing them to Trincomalee for further investigations to be carried out by the navy,” he said.

Four children and a woman were among those who were taken into custody by the Navy today. They also found dry rations and water stocked inside the trawler.

The Sri Lanka Navy has advised Sri Lankans in the recent past not to fall into traps laid by human smugglers and take perilous risks at sea seeking illegal entry into Australia.

According to the Navy, illegal sea travel to Australia is a futile effort which will end up with the immigrants being sent to Malaysia. The Malaysian and the Australian governments reached an agreement where illegal asylum seekers heading to Australia will be handed over to Malaysia for determination of their refugee status.

The Navy has begun a special operation to prevent human trafficking. Most people who are smuggled through Lankan waters are sponsored by Sri Lankan citizens who are already living abroad and supporting LTTE activities. (Supun Dias)

Pix by Pradeep Pathirana

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Comments - 31

Pandula Monday, 12 September 2011 02:40 AM

Keep extra vigilant during peace.

raj Monday, 12 September 2011 02:34 AM

they like to leave Sri Lanka because of grease evil.

ajith Monday, 12 September 2011 03:04 AM

Let them go and do not keep any one by force but its the SL governments duty to check the maritime border in SL to prevent unlawful things.

Ben Monday, 12 September 2011 04:04 AM

It's sad the pictures look like some hot shot Navy promotion or an ad campaign. So what do we call this?!?
GLAM REPORTAGE ?!?

Sri Lankan Aussi Monday, 12 September 2011 04:16 AM

Why do you say easy way out. How much of money they pay. 30 Years ago when i was at the Sri Lankan Aussi Embassy, after handing over papers, there were agents waiting out and asked me to give Sr Rs 100,000 and said that if i paid them within months i wil be in Aussi. But i did not waited for the formal way to get all documents processed.

So it is not easy way out. You pay money to the Agetns and Risk your money and your Life.

Ranjith. BG Monday, 12 September 2011 05:52 AM

The reason their other familiy members already in Austarlia.

Kapila Monday, 12 September 2011 06:15 AM

Nothing is easy in Australia! You work hard, buy a car, buy a house and the bank owns it for the rest of your life.
Unfortunately in Sri Lanka, you work hard and the politicians buy cars and houses (for everyone in their family) and the hard working people pay for it (for rest of their life and for another 3 generations)!!!

Jayantha R. Punchihe Monday, 12 September 2011 06:59 AM

Let them to be flee with risk , If they dislike the birth place, limits will be the world only not the heven. It’a s know factor that humen unable to satisfy.
Deeply concern mind make your world of desire……

Maya Kumari Monday, 12 September 2011 06:59 AM

It is the shame that the plight of Sri Lankan's are such, that they risk their lives for freedom and justice.

The article is also insinuating that there is an LTTE angle to the whole thing. Which can be, or cannot. It is very cheaply written and lack any form of professional journalism. It also states that Australia and Malaysia have an agreement. Which is not the case. It was ruled to be illegal in the australian court and is now is trying to make its way through parliament. As of this day, there is no agreement that can be implemented.

A very misguiding article and badly written in poor standards!

YURI Monday, 12 September 2011 07:01 AM

you right Ben, they look like they found some aliens. sad only it can happen in Sunthara Lanka, don't forget the rest waiting in western countries embassies.

YURI Monday, 12 September 2011 06:58 AM

100.000, Gold today value 1500000.00

bernard Monday, 12 September 2011 07:01 AM

Legally they won't be accepted into those countries. This is the only way they can get in. Once they are in, they tell the immigration authorities a cock and bull story like genocide, discrimination and their lives are in danger if they send back. According to the human rights laws in these countries, they won't be sent back if there is a threat to their life.

Nishamani Monday, 12 September 2011 07:39 AM

we are still waiting for the last 3 years since we wanted to go proper way. but when people does this type of illegal acts it will be very hard for even to obtain visitor visa.

nawala nihal Monday, 12 September 2011 07:50 AM

not only tamils..but sinhalese as well ready to go to another country if there is a chance...all have the right to live happily with their families...unfortunately here in sri lanka you work hard but you get nothing...you work hard and you have close chances to lose even your EPF...someday you will die after going through all the difficulties in the rest of your life...

Adam Sunday, 11 September 2011 06:53 AM

Easy way out!!!!

Choppe Sunday, 11 September 2011 08:21 AM

why not allow them to leave, keeping blind eye, we have less problem once they leave.

idiot Sunday, 11 September 2011 09:09 AM

Why are people risking their lives to get away. They are not happy her. SL Govt will not let them get away either.
The report writer has also added a little spin on LTTE too. Great job.

Nagaragiri Kiththil Sunday, 11 September 2011 09:16 AM

Why are they leaving this--------------????

nagi Monday, 12 September 2011 10:06 AM

yes easy way out is correct! as at tdy aussi PM going ahead with malaysia plan despite court orders. aussi is clear that they are NOT welcome -bunch of shameless idiots!

amilacooray Sunday, 11 September 2011 03:05 PM

Because they need to get a better life on the white land and start a fresh funding round for LTTE

amilacooray Sunday, 11 September 2011 03:18 PM

They need more money to pay Darusman, Tamil nadu politicians, bankrupt white masters, TNA etc.. so they have to go white countries in order to pay the hefty bills.

PodiMalli Sunday, 11 September 2011 04:29 PM

asylum -- no SS

bada-uda-gemmba Sunday, 11 September 2011 05:28 PM

How times have changed???
Once upon a time "Kalla-Thonies" were prevented from entering the then our very own Ceylon!!
Now they are prevented from getting away from the very same SL
SUCH IS LIFE!!!!!!

GOOD DOC Sunday, 11 September 2011 05:47 PM

If they are treated well in this country, why they want to go to another country??????????????????????ILLEGALLY!!!!!!!

YURI Sunday, 11 September 2011 05:56 PM

fail attempt to escape from Hell...

citizen Sunday, 11 September 2011 06:29 PM

They are leaving in search of greener pasture.
The bottom line is better life standard.

Asoka Sunday, 11 September 2011 08:03 PM

I cannot believe these fools are going to australia? Is it for real? Go to australia and do what?

raj Sunday, 11 September 2011 08:59 PM

are they trying to escape from war criminals?

Red Lips Monday, 12 September 2011 12:25 AM

Get concurrence from international community to hang them !

Punchi Putha Monday, 12 September 2011 01:08 AM

Rather than arresting them, find out the reasons why they leave this "land like no other".

oziee Monday, 12 September 2011 01:50 AM

Why they are leaving...?
Simple answer is....

SL kabalen....( TO) ... OZ lipata

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44 asylum seekers arrested

Comments - 31

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