Sri Lanka stops boat headed for Australia

[illusion8]

SRI Lankan police have arrested 53 people who were trying to leave the island illegally in a boat believed to be heading for Australia.

The fishing trawler was stopped by the Navy off the island's southeastern coast late today and the men were handed over to the police.

Police later arrested another 26 people on shore, spokesman Ajith Rohana said.

He said 21 Afghans and five Pakistani nationals were arrested on shore and were suspected of using Sri Lanka as a transit point.

"We have seen an increase in the attempts by people smugglers to take boatloads of people to Australia in recent months," Rohana said.

Late last month, police raided another people-smuggling ring and arrested 113 men who were preparing to board a trawler for Australia.

A senior Naval official said authorities expected an increase in illegal boats from Sri Lanka to Australia after an Australian court ruled against a scheme to send illegal immigrants to Malaysia.

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[Skyline]

some Indians were also arrested...

 

[asianamerican]

Why? They should let this people flood Australia. If people want to leave their country they should be able to.

 

[turbo charged]

how far is australia from sri lanka?

 

[xdrive]

Why? They should let this people flood Australia. If people want to leave their country they should be able to.

Why should they let people flood Australia? Why don't they go to a neighboring country instead of coming here?

All of the people who come here illegally know they will be locked up in detention centres. We can't have people coming here illegally and walking the streets.

how far is australia from sri lanka?

A very long distance. I would say about a 3 day boat trip.

Sometimes they will set themselves on fire or blow up their boat as soon as they get to Australian waters so the navy will pick them up.