Navy intelligence investigating boat escape

The Naval intelligence unit of the Sri Lankan Navy is currently investigating the recent incident of 66 asylum seekers reaching mainland Australia.

“I can’t make a comment as of now because the intelligence arm is currently conducting an investigation into the incident”  Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasuriya said.

A fishing boat packed with 66 potential asylum-seekers, , evaded detection and sailed in to a busy port on the Australian mainland today, officials said.

The vessel was seen within the harbor limits of Geraldton in Western Australia, more than 2,000 kilometers south of Australia's Indian Ocean territory of Christmas Island where such boats are usually intercepted.

The West Australian newspaper said the boat, with men, women and children on board, was from Sri Lanka and had been at sea for more than six weeks before arriving at the port 425 km north of Perth, the AFP reported. (HF)