Police spokesman SSP Ajith Rohana said that 41 people had left for Australia by boat from the Chilaw area earlier this month and were arrested by the Australian coast guard near Indonesia.

He said that the Australians had returned 37 of them to the Sri Lanka navy 2 days ago while four others were taken into Australian police custody for further investigations.

The 37 illegal immigrants were handed over to the CID to conduct further investigations and among them are women and children.

The police spokesman said that there were Tamils, Sinhalese and burghers among them and this included nine children. Those arrested are residents of Chilaw, Colombo and Jaffna.

He said that the four people arrested by the Australian authorities are believed to have been involved in the people smuggling operation.

The police spokesman said that investigations are underway to locate more people involved in the people smuggling operation.(Colombo Gazette)