Feb 07, Trincomalee: Sri Lanka Navy arrested 54 illegal migrants bound for Australia today and handed them over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) for further investigations.

A fast Naval Patrol Craft attached to the Eastern Naval Command has intercepted a multi-day fishing trawler Thursday (07) with the 54 people onboard in the sea off 12 nautical miles east of Kalmunai in Eastern Province.

The group of 40 men, 6 women and 8 children has been escorted to Trincomalee Harbor to hand them over to the CID.

Despite Sri Lanka Navy's efforts and Australia's recent measures to return asylum seekers, attempts by would-be asylum seekers continue.

Australia, after enacting its new policy of sending asylum seekers to detention centers in offshore islands since August 13, has sent 936 Sri Lankans home.