Foreign countries springboard for Lankan illegal migrants

http://www.dailynews.lk/2010/08/26/news02.asp

Foreign countries springboard for Lankan illegal migrants
Sandasen MARASINGHE

Sri Lankan asylum seekers in developed countries enter other countries from foreign shores with the help of overseas’ human smugglers, Navy spokesman captain Athula Senarath said.
He said the Sri Lanka Navy is strong that it is not possible for illegal migrants to leave Sri Lanka’s shores. Captain Senarath said asylum seekers leave the country with legal documents.
“Once they arrive in a foreign country they attempt to go to developed countries with the help of human smugglers, where they can find jobs and live comfortably,” he said.
With regard to the surveillance in Sri Lankan seas captain Senarath said the Navy arrested around 150 persons leaving Sri Lanka in four vessels off the shores of Galle in November last year.
“Navy also arrested another group of persons in Maravila planning to leave Sri Lanka illegally while another group was nabbed in Batticaloa,” he said.