Navy prohibits migrant boats from entering Sri Lankan waters

Colombo (News 1st) : Sri Lanka Navy said it has increased patrols and monitoring along the coastal belt of the island as there is a possibility of people from other countries making attempts to cross in to Sri Lanka by boat. Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva said this is because COVID-19 is spreading in many other countries at a rapid pace. Therefore, Sri Lanka Navy will also tighten its grip in the seas surrounding the island with increased patrols and observation points adding special attention to the Northern, North Western, Eastern, Western and North Eastern sea areas. In addition, Sri Lanka Air Force too increased its maritime observation capacity to assist in this process. The Navy Commander said the Indian authorities were informed to tighten their borders to prevent migrants from crossing the international maritime boundary to Sri Lanka. If, a vessel carrying migrants breaches the international maritime boundary and enters Sri Lankan waters, the vessel will be sent back to its point of origin, the Navy Commander stressed. In addition, the local fishermen and competent authorities have been instructed to immediately notify the Sri Lanka Navy of any suspicious vessels at sea.