By Romesh Madusanaka   

A group of suspected illegal immigrants and two Sri Lankans who provided them accommodation were arrested by the Navy during a raid in Urumalai in Talaimannar yesterday, an official said.   

A senior officer of the Navy said they have launched a continual search operation in the sea around the country and in the coastal areas to prevent human smuggling and illegal immigrants.   

The SLN said that they Navy believed that the five men would have arrived by sea from India.   

He said five individuals were arrested and questioned to find out if they were illegal immigrants and based on the information they provided led to the arrest the two Sri Lankans from Talaimannar.   

The official said the suspects would be handed over to Talaimannar Police for further action.