Lankan Navy arrests 78 illegal immigrants to Australia

Colombo, June 26

The Sri Lankan Navy today arrested 78 persons, including 59 Tamils, for attempting to illegally migrate to Australia by boat.

Naval spokesman Commander Indika Silva said that 78 people were arrested off the southern fishing harbour of Kirinda in the deep southern province earlier this morning and were taken to the Galle Harbour by Navy officials.

Those arrested include 59 Tamils and 17 Sinhalese.

Australia has introduced intensive measures to combat illegal boat travelers from Sri Lanka since mid 2012.

Australia implemented a series of measures including running an expensive media campaign to create public awareness that Australian authorities would be sending back the asylum seekers. — PTI