• Intel. warnings have spurred action, with the Navy on the watch: Public. Sec. Min.
• Says recent Rohingya arrival is suspected to be human trafficking; probe underway

The Ministry of Public Security stated that the Sri Lanka Navy has been placed on high alert to curb illegal immigrants from entering the country.

The reports come in the wake of Public Security Minister Ananda Wijepala’s statement in Parliament that there are indications of elements conspiring to move thousands (100,000) of illegal immigrants to Sri Lanka. 

Following the recent arrival of over 100 Rohingya asylum-seekers in Sri Lanka, he said that the intelligence agencies have revealed that there is a plan to smuggle thousands of illegal migrants into the country over the coming days.

When contacted by The Daily Morning, the Public Security Minister said that the arrival of illegal immigrants to the country causes various complications and unnecessary social issues. "The intelligence agencies have warned us of the potential arrival of illegal immigrants. If it happens, it will create a lot of unnecessary problems. The Navy is on alert to prevent such incidents."

Commenting on the Rohingya refugee issue, Wijepala said: "We have currently identified it as human trafficking. If someone carries out propaganda campaigns and brings in people to another country, it is human trafficking. There is a question as to how it can happen without the support of some party in Sri Lanka. We are currently investigating that aspect."

On the morning of 19 December 2024, a multi-day trawler carrying over 100 Rohingya asylum-seekers drifted towards the coast off Mullivaikkal in Mullaitivu. They are currently being detained in detention centres, and provided with food and other facilities by the Government. They were escorted by the Navy to the Ashraf Jetty in Trincomalee Harbour and landed in Trincomalee on 20 December 2024. The asylum-seekers were initially cared for by public officers and Non Governmental Organisations and were hosted at Jamalia School in Trincomalee. Subsequently, they were brought before the Trincomalee Magistrate. In court, the refugees explained that they had come to Sri Lanka seeking asylum. They are currently being detained in several centres.

Some local politicians and rights activists have called on the Government not to deport them back to their country of origin.