July 02, Colombo: Marawila police officers managed to arrest 24 people who were staying in a lodge preparing to travel to Australia illegally by the sea route.

This group has stayed in a lodge in Marawila Talwila area. A 22-day-old baby, two two-month-old babies and 10 women are also among the group.

Police say that these people are residents of Batticaloa area. This group has told the police that they came to Marawila from Batticaloa five days ago and stayed at the lodge until the boat to go to Australia arrived.

Fifteen people who were ready to travel by sea from Marawila to Australia were arrested in the same way on the 7th of June.