COLOMBO (News 1st); Police say 399 people have been arrested by Sri Lanka Police and Sri Lanka Navy so far in 2022 for attempting to migrate to Australia illegally.

Police Media Spokesperson SSP Nihal Thalduwa stated that legal action was taken against the suspects.

SSP Thalduwa said that it was reported that smugglers accept Rs. 200,000 – Rs. 1,000,000 to assist those who attempt to illegally migrate.

Police said that human traffickers use dilapidated boats and broken vessels in their illegal operations.

Traffickers will be charged with 1-5 years of jail time, the Police Spokesperson warned.

• Newsline – Corruption Challenges Growth & Governance
• Sri Lanka systematically violated human rights – FIDH
• President orders to further curtail government expenditure
• Driver steers bus to the side of a mountain as brakes fail, averts mishap
• Bangladesh secures $4.7 bln from IMF