A total of 19 people who attempted to migrate illegally from the country via sea routes have been arrested by the Navy during an operation conducted in the beach area of Chilaw.  

The Navy on receipt of information, mounted a special search operation impounding a spacious van in the estuary of Chilaw and apprehended the group including the van driver and his assistant.  

A woman, three boys and a girl were also among the arrested. The suspects were identified as residents of Kilinochchi, Jaffna, Wattala, Batticaloa, Trincomalee, Polonnaruwa, Negombo and Kochchikade.  

It is suspected that the group had attempted to illegally migrate to a ‍foreign country by sea.

• A woman, three boys and a girl were among the arrested