51 illegal migrants caught in Negombo

28 July 2012 04:45 am

At least 51 people were arrested in Negombo this morning for allegedly trying to illegally migrate to Australia, the Navy said.

31of them travelling in a boat were arrested 10 nautical miles away from the shore while 20 were arrested while waiting on the shores for another boat to pick them up.

Navy Spokesman Kosala Warnakulasuriya said they are from Trincomalee, Point Pedro, Negombo, Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Vavuniya, and Mannar, and persons arrested are now in Mutwal harbour and will be handed over to Criminal investigation department (CID) for further investigations. (Sanath Desmond)