Six (06) Sri Lankan nationals who were victims of human smuggling and abandonment in the sea area off Sand Dunes, Talaimannar have been taken into custody by the Sri Lanka Navy.
According to the Navy, the stranded Sri Lankans were found during a search operation conducted on Sunday (13) as part of its regular patrols covering the sea and coastal areas around the island to curb irregular migration and human smuggling.
Acting on credible information received by SLNS Thammanna of the North Central Naval Command, the search was initiated in the Sand Dune sea area of Talaimannar.
The operation led to the recovery of the individuals on a remote Sand Dune, where they had been abandoned by human smugglers.
The group was found to be suffering from severe dehydration. It was further revealed that the individuals were illegally transported by sea from India and subsequently deserted on Sand Dune – VII.
Those individuals, aged 08 to 56, are residents of Vavuniya, Madhu, and Kokkadicholai.
They have been handed over to the Talaimannar Police for legal proceedings. (Newswire)
