Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

Strict laws soon against human traffickers

30 August 2012 12:55 am - 5     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

In a bid to curtail illegal migration by Sri Lankans, the government will introduce tough laws where if found guilty human traffickers and organisers of boat trips will forfeit their assets and will serve a jail term of up to 20 years instead of the present two.

Immigration and Emigration Chief Chulanada Perera said his department would strengthen the Immigration and Emigrations Amendment Act of 2006 in an effort to end human trafficking in Sri Lanka.

He said human trafficking would be made a non-bailable offence.

Hapless victims unable to resist the rosy picture shown to them by human traffickers easily fall victim and take the extremely risky boat ride to reach greener pastures.  

Amendments have been drafted based on a report submitted by a committee comprising officials from the Foreign Affairs Ministry and Attorney General’s Department.

“We have to take a sympathetic view on the victims and will not to increase the existing prison term of three months where they are concerned. But we have proposed maximum possible punishment to those who have made human smuggling a business while risking the lives of thousands of unsuspecting victims,” Mr. Perera said.

He said it was necessary to obtain the cooperation of countries such as Australia, Canada, the US and those in the European Union because these were the most likely destinations of a majority of illegal emigrants.

“Our efforts to put an end to human smuggling will not be a success just by introducing stringent regulations if countries of destinations do not cooperate with us. They too must reject outright all illegal immigrants to their countries and laws must be introduced to discourage them,” Mr. Perera said.

Some 1,000 Sri Lankans are among nearly 6,000 asylum seekers held in detention camps in Australia, which is an attractive destination for illegal emigrants from Sri Lanka.

The latest incident was where the Sri Lankan Navy intercepted two multi-day trawlers with 147 probable asylum seekers including Tamils and Sinhalese on board. (Sandun A. Jayasekera)

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 - 5

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
  • Ammo Thursday, 30 August 2012 01:05 AM

    Will this be as strict as the 3 passenger rule for Trishaws ??

    Crazy Horse Thursday, 30 August 2012 01:52 AM

    How about some stricter laws against murder, rape and child abuse as well?

    haid Thursday, 30 August 2012 07:06 AM

    Blessings in disguise. Would be less people to feed and inflation will come down if it continues. so why impose harsh laws to curb the drain. Its no brain drain.

    Fair N Square Thursday, 30 August 2012 07:39 AM

    He, the chief of Immigration has a job to sit in a cushioned chair in an air-conditioned room so he can say things of this nature. The people who try to leave to Australia are NOT white collar job seekers. They are RISKING lives to see a future ror them and their kids and family. Sad to note these victims as per his statement are imprisoned for 3 months. So they are VICTIMIZING" the victims a second time. Where in the world do u get double punishment. Sad.. Wonder if the Australian and other governments has lined the pockets of HIGH authority to stop the "outflow" of refugees than reject the "inflow" of em. The day they reject the acceptance of refugees, the boat VICTIMS will NOT travel coz they know, on arrival in OZ they will be deported, whereby they spend the money and risk their lives is of NO use.

    Subbiah Thursday, 30 August 2012 11:29 AM

    Will the proposed laws apply to all who do this business?


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.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





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

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H