Intelligence reports reveal: 100,000 illegal migrants could arrive in SL in the coming days: Public Security Minister

• Investigation launched into the matter  
• Government considers this as a social issue  
• Government yet to consider Rohingya as refugees; no decision to deport them either

By Ajith Siriwardana and Yohan Perera

In the wake of over 100 Rohingya entering Sri Lanka recently, Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala said yesterday that the intelligence services have revealed that there was a plan that some 100,000 illegal migrants could arrive in Sri Lanka during the coming days.
The Minister told Parliament that an investigation has been launched into the matter and pointed out that it is identified as a grave social issue.  
“Police investigations and according to intelligence reports, 100,000 illegal migrants are set to arrive in Sri Lanka in the coming days. We consider this as a social issue in the country,” he said while responding to a question by SJB MP Rauff Hakeem.  He said the police investigations have revealed that the group of Rohingya who entered Sri Lanka recently had paid 500,000 in their currencies to the human traffickers and 800,000 more for the journey.  

The Minister said a police investigation is being carried out into the matter and added that if the group of people were considered as refugees, they will be dealt with by international laws.  

“They are considered as illegal migrants right now. They have been provided with all facilities by the Immigration and Emigrations Department. Following investigations, if they are considered as refugees, they will be dealt with international laws,” he said.  

MP Hakeem said the group of refugees should not be deported to Myanmar but action must be taken to deport them to another country with the assistance of the UNHRC. Minister Wijepala said the government has not discussed deporting the group and that the foreign Affairs Ministry had only held initial discussion with the Myanmar government.