Seven Sri Lankans, including a woman and two girls, reached India’s Dhanushkodi islet via boat on Monday, according to Indian Marine Police.
The initial inquiries revealed that the seven individuals were part of a single family. The family reported to police that they were facing financial difficulties due to the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.
An officer in Mandapam stated that due to inability to repay their increasing debts, they opted to flee to India.
The family has paid LKR 150,000 to a boatman at Mannar, crossing Palk Bay in three hours and reaching Dhanushkodi islet.
The Marine Police subsequently escorted them to the station for further interrogation upon receiving information.
After the investigation, the seven members, including Nagaraja, Vanithini, Anojan, Kajeevan, Tanushika, Ajanthan, and Keesalin, were taken to the Mandapam Rehabilitation Centre.
Meanwhile, a Centre official reported that 282 Sri Lankan refugees were lodged at the Centre, with two dying last year due to age-induced diseases.
Customs have detected 228 mobile phones and tabs valued at over Rs 30 million left behind in the duty free shopping complex at the Banaranaike International Airport today, Customs officials said.
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