A special operation carried out by the Navy and Wennappuwa Police in the town area of Wennappuwa on the night of 31st July 2022, led to the apprehension of 47 individuals suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country via sea.
The coordinated operation was mounted by the Western Naval Command and Wennappuwa Police, based on information received by the Sri Lanka Navy. The group of individuals, suspected to be on an illegal migration attempt to a foreign country via sea, were nabbed after searching 03 suspicious vans in Wennappuwa in the dark hours of 31st July. Among the apprehended persons were; 37 males and 06 females over 18 years and 04 individuals below 18 years. The 03 vans used for this illegal act were also taken into custody.
The apprehended persons were identified as residents of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Kalmunai, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Chilaw, Marawila, Mahawewa, Mundalama and Wellawatta. They were handed over to Wennappuwa Police for onward investigation.
It is observed that human smugglers organize this kind of rackets for the purpose of making fast money. Against such backdrop, the Navy urges the public to refrain from risking their lives by engaging in perilous sea voyages and be victims before the law.
