Sri Lanka Navy apprehended the multi-day fishing vessel, which was to take the 22 persons bound for Australia.
The arrest was made in the early hours on 10th January 2012 at the Hambantota Fishing Marshalling Point. Four persons including the boat’s skipper were taken into custody and they were handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations.
The Navy launched an extensive search operation to track down the vessel which was to take the 22 persons, who were arrested while attempting to flee the country seeking illegal entry into Australia. The arrest was made close to mid-night on 06th January 2012 at Rakawa in Tangalle. The main operative involved and the provisions made ready for the illegal journey were too taken into custody at the rendezvous point.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff , January 11, 2012; Image: navy