Three suspected human smugglers arrested in Wellawatte

By H.M.Dharmapala and Kusal Chamath   

A group of three individuals suspected of their involvement in human smuggling were arrested by the Wellawatta police during a raid on a hotel in the area. They were in possession of passports, and identity cards of several persons, US$1900, and the documents relating to the racket.   

The three men were residents of Kopai and Samanthurai and aged 28,32, and 34 years of age respectively. They are suspected of being involved in an international human smuggling racket. Investigations revealed that they had obtained Rs.400,000 each from several individuals who expected to migrate to Canada, and other European countries and that the individuals who fell prey to the racket would be taken by sea to different destinations only to be handed over to the kingpins behind the racket.   

SI Udayakumara, Sergeant 5182 Soysa, PCs 5346 Sanjeewa, 84348 Pushpakumara, 40823 Jayaratne, 66211 Surendra,and 94424 Nadushan are conducting further investigations on the instructions of OIC crime Investigation Branch IP Sisira Kumara, OIC Wellawatta Police CI Kapila Wijemanna, and SSP Sisira Pettathanthri.