Asylum seekers brought to Colombo

08 Jan 2012 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The 14 asylum seekers who were planning to flee to Australia along with the eight supporters who were arrested while in a guest house in Rekawa area in Tangalle have been brought to Colombo by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and are currently been held under detention orders.

The mastermind behind the attempt is yet to be taken into custody. An operation is presently underway to arrest him.

The suspects include the 14 asylum seekers and eight suspects including the owner of the guest house, police media spokesman Ajith Rohana said.

They are residents of Jaffna, Udappuwa, Chilaw and Negombo. The raid was carried out by the CID with the assistance of the Navy on Saturday while planning to leave from the Rekawa harbour.

Meanwhile the Navy is searching for the multi-day-trawler that was to be used by the asylum seekers. The suspects are to be further questioned by the CID. Out of the 14 asylum seekers 13 of them are Tamil nationals.

During the recent years the Navy has foiled several illegal human smuggling attempts targeting Australia as destination. The Navy has also advised not to fall into traps laid by human traffickers and take hazardous risks at seeking illegal entry to Australia. (Supun Dias and Krishan Jeewaka Jayaruk)

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Asylum seekers brought to Colombo

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