Navy nabs 80 illegal Indian immigrants

By Norman Palihawadane

The Navy nabbed 80 Indians attempting to immigrate illegally into Sri Lanka in 11 boats at Mannar yesterday. They had fled India, fearing the surging of Covid-19 infections and high death toll.

The illegal immigrants were being held in their boats pending deportation, Navy spokesman Commodore Indika Silva told The Island.

Commodore Silva said that the Navy had deployed several naval units to patrol the northern and northwestern waters of the country around the clock, following the possibility of illegal migrants entering the shores of Sri Lanka via sea routes.

Steps have been taken to deploy more ships (OPV & FGBs) and Fast Attack Craft to increase surveillance in the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) as well as Inshore Patrol Craft to patrol the coastal waters of the country.

The Eastern Naval Command has attached some of its ships and craft to the Northern Naval Command, whereas the Western Naval Command has deployed additional ships and craft to patrol the sea area extending from Chilaw to Mannar.

The Navy has urged the fishing community to be vigilant regarding the possible arrival of illegal immigrants and inform relevant authorities if any suspicious activity is observed in this regard.