A total of 64 persons who attempted to flee the country illegally in a multi-day finishing trawler have been arrested by the Sri Lanka Navy in seas off Trincomalee.
The group was arrested this morning, during a Navy patrol off the East coast.
Among the apprehended individuals were 50 males including seven persons involved in this racket, 11 females and three children, who are between the ages of two and 55 years.
The suspects are residents of Trincomalee, Mullaitivu and Jaffna. They will be handed over to the Trincomalee Harbour Police for legal proceedings.
