• Last Update 2024-03-29 09:48:00

38 Lankans attempted to illegally enter Réunion Island of France via sea repatriated to home by air

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Authorities of the Réunion Island of France repatriated 38 Sri Lankan nationals to Sri Lanka by air on last evening, Nay said. The group of Sri Lankans were apprehended as they were attempting to migrate to the Réunion Island illegally via sea.

Departed from the Negombo fisheries harbour on December 1 last year with fivecrew members, a multiday fishing trawler, bearing No. IMUL-A-0532 CHW, boarded 64 illegal migrants from Baththalangunduwa, Puttalam on  December 13, transferred by means of 03 dinghies, Navy said. 

Subsequently, the multiday fishing trawler has proceeded towards the Diego Garcia Island where they were apprehended and deported by the British Navy on December 30.  Thereupon, the human smugglers had cruised with the group of illegal immigrants to the French territory, Reunion Island where they were held by Authorities of the Réunion Island on January 14. Upon being produced to the Réunion Court the group of illegal immigrants were repatriated to Sri Lanka on 25th January.

Among the apprehended persons were 33 males including 03 from the boat crew and 02 females who are over 18 years of age and 02 boys and 01 girl below 18 years. They have been identified as residents of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Mannar, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Trincomalee, Batticaloa Puttalam, Negombo and Gampaha. Meanwhile, the individuals have been handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for further legal proceedings, Navy added. 

Preliminary investigations revealed that the smugglers in Kalpitiya and Kandy areas, who led this smuggling, charged an amount from Rs. 400,000 rupees to Rs. 1,000,000 from one person. 

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