July 10, Trincomalee: Sri Lanka Navy today prevented another attempt by a group of people trying to illegally migrate to Australia when the naval personnel intercepted two fishing trawlers in the eastern seas off of Trincomalee Tuesday.

Two Fast Naval Patrol Craft attached to the Eastern Naval Command had detected the two multi-day trawlers headed for Australia in the sea about 35 nautical miles south-east of Trincomalee in the early hours today.

The Navy had intercepted the two trawlers carrying 82 persons including 78 men, 2 women and 2 children onboard and brought them to the Trincomalee harbor.

The already over-crowded trawlers were packed with a large amount of provisions and personal belongings, the Navy said, adding that the boats were in grave danger in the rough seas due to adverse weather conditions prevailing in the region.

All suspected illegal migrants have been handed over to Trincomalee Harbour Police for further investigations.