Four arrested for illegal entry from India

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya and Sithum Chaturanga  

Four people including one suffering from respiratory difficulties were arrested after Sri Lanka Navy intercepted a multi-day trawler at Thondamanaru in Jaffna, attempting to enter the country illegally.   

It was reported that two of them were former LTTE cadres and the person suffering from respiratory ailment was admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital.  Investigation revealed that two people from Point Pedro had left for India in a dinghy and had discreetly brought back the two former LTTE cadres who were residing in India.   

The suspect who was admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital was to undergo a PCR test while the other suspects were kept in isolation.   

They were to be handed over to the Jaffna Police.  

SLN Spokesperson Lt. Com. Isuru Sooriyabandara said while the Navy had increased regular operations to thwart illegal drug smuggling into the country via sea routes, they had also kept its naval fleets in the Northern sea on high alert to be vigilant on attempts by coronavirus- infected fishermen, who were involved in various smuggling activities, entering the Lankan waters.     

• It was reported that two of them were former LTTE cadres and the person suffering from respiratory ailment was admitted to the Jaffna Teaching Hospital