46 Sri Lankans arrested in Réunion Island of France repatriated to Sri Lanka

Fourty-six Sri Lankan nationals who were arrested by the authorities of the Réunion Island of France were repatriated to Sri Lanka by air yesterday evening.

Reportedly, the group of Sri Lankans were apprehended as they were attempting to migrate to the Réunion Island illegally by sea.

The suspects set out aboard a multiday fishing trawler from Negombo on 2nd December 2022.

The group of individuals comprises 43 males including the crew of the multiday fishing vessel, two females and a boy. 

They were apprehended as they were attempting to illegally enter the Réunion Island of France on 24th December 2022. They have been identified as residents of Jaffna, Kilinochchi, Mullaitivu, Mannar, Batticaloa, Chilaw and Negombo, from 13 to 53 years of age.

The repatriated group are to be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for onward legal action.

It has been revealed that the smugglers in Dehiwala area, who led this smuggling, charged an amount from Rs. 200,000 rupees to Rs. 4,500,000 from one person. 

The Navy said the French government does not entertain the illegal entry of people to the Réunion Island and such people will be immediately repatriated upon apprehension.