May 27, Colombo: The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) has foiled two separate illegal migration attempts arresting 45 individuals in two local multiday fishing trawlers during patrols carried out today (27) in southern and western seas.

SLNS Gajabahu patrolling in southern waters held a local multiday fishing trawler suspiciously plying off the southern coast with 26 persons aboard.

In a separate operation, Fast Attack Craft P 481 of the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla intercepted another suspicious local multiday fishing trawler carrying 19 individuals, during a patrol conducted in the western sea area today (27th May 2022).

The suspects aboard two multiday fishing trawlers, which were seized after being observed not seaworthy for a passage, are residents of Kalpitiya, Chilaw, Puttalam, Negombo and Kilinochchi areas.

The arrested individuals are suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country via sea routes and will be handed over to relevant authorities along with the trawlers for onward legal action.

The Sri Lanka Navy urged the public to refrain from risking their lives and property embarking on perilous sea voyages by unseaworthy vessels and becoming victims in the eyes of the law, being caught in the tricks of smugglers.