Galle Chief Magistrate Harshana Kekunawela on Sunday remanded 29 men from 41 persons who attempted to migrate to Australia, until June 6. Four women were released on a surety of Rs. 100 000 each and eight minors were discharged.
Navy officers nabbed them 780 nautical miles off Sri Lankan waters on Tuesday.
The suspects were identified as residents of Chilaw, Kurunegala, Jaffna, Vavuniya and Batticaloa. They had left Sri Lankan shores on May 5 from Chilaw on a multi-day fishing trawler to Australia.
The Navy Head Quarters received information from a passing ship that they had seen a wrecked vessel about 780 nautical miles off Sri Lankan waters. The SLNS Nadimitra Ship sailed to the spot and rescued the 41 illegal migrants to Australia. They had told the Navy officials that they were without meals for several days.
The naval officers provided them with food and brought them to the Galle Navy Unit. They were handed over to the Galle Harbour Police on Saturday.
The Navy personnel in the operation could not bring the wrecked trawler in rough seas. Communication gadgets on the trawler were seized.
SI Udaya Kumara and Sergeant Dahanayake prosecuted under the instructions of OIC Duminda Kumara.
from daily news