5 September 2019 12:15 pm Views - 1078
At least 44 Indians were arrested by the Department of Immigration and Emigration for overstaying their visas at a construction site at Slave Island today.
Assistant Controller (Investigations) M. G. V. Kariyawasam told the Daily Mirror that the Indian nationals were arrested while they were working at the construction site.
“The arrested are all males and between 25 to 50 of age,” he said.
He said they had overstayed nearly three months after their visas were expired.
“It was revealed while questioning the suspects had not been paid salaries on a regular basis,” he said.
“They are to be handed over to the Mirihana Detention Centre,” Mr Kariyawasam added.
Meanwhile, he said 18 passports belonging to another 18 Indians who were working at the same construction site, were impounded as their visas did not permit them to work at that particular site.
The Immigration Department team led by Deputy Controller M. G. V. Kariyawasama is conducting investigations on the instructions of Immigration and Emigration Controller General Pasan Ratnayake and Controller-Border and Visa Dasitha Niroshana. (Sheain Fernandopulle)