Colombo (LNW): Authorities in Réunion Island, France, have repatriated a group of Sri Lankan nationals who had illegally migrated to the island by sea, Sri Lanka Navy said.
The repatriated group includes several Sri Lankans who had migrated to Réunion Island in previous years. Among them were seven individuals who had migrated aboard the multi-day fishing trawler IMUL-A-0813-KLT on December 7, 2023, two individuals aboard the multi-day fishing trawler IMUL-A-0469-NBO on August 22, 2022, three persons aboard the multi-day fishing trawler IMUL-A-0014-CBO in 2018, and two individuals who migrated from Indonesia in 2019.
The repatriation was conducted on the UU 0050 aircraft on December 22. The individuals, aged between 21 and 60, are from the Beruwala, Chilaw, and Kalawanchikudi areas.
The Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Sri Lanka Police are pursuing further legal proceedings regarding these illegal immigrants.
The Sri Lanka Navy emphasised that the French government promptly repatriates individuals involved in illegal entry to Réunion Island and urged the public to refrain from participating in or supporting illegal migration facilitated by human traffickers via the sea.
