47 individuals have been arrested for allegedly attempting to leave the country illegally via sea.
The Sri Lanka Navy said a special operation carried out by the Navy and Police in the Wennappuwa town last night, led to the arrest of 47 individuals.
The Navy said they were arrested after three vans were raided in Wennappuwa.
Vehicles have also been taken into custody.
The Navy said 37 males and six females were arrested during the operation along with four underage children.
The apprehended persons were identified as residents of Jaffna, Vavuniya, Trincomalee, Kalmunai, Batticaloa, Puttalam, Chilaw, Marawila, Mahawewa, Mundalama and Wellawatte.
They were handed over to the Wennappuwa Police for the further action.
The Navy has also urged the general public to refrain from risking their lives by engaging in perilous sea voyages and be victims before the law.
