Navy intercepts another Australia - bound trawler off Nilaweli

Sri Lanka Navy intercepted another multi-day trawler illegally headed for Australia off Nilaweli yesterday.

The vessel was escorted to the Trincomalee harbour, with 53 persons on board to be handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department for further investigations. The arrested persons are from Trincomalee, Negombo, Kilinochchi and Jaffna.

The trawler, "Venura Putha 2", with personal belongings and dry rations stacked inside, was detected by a Fast Naval Patrol Craft attached to the Eastern Naval Command. The arrest is the seventh made by the Navy within 12 days in Sri Lankan waters.

The Naval patrols averted seven human smuggling attempts and detained 454 persons during the month of July todate.