A group of 44 persons who were preparing to leave the country illegally by boat to the Australian coast were apprehended by the police at a beach head in the Vakarai police area yesterday evening officials said today, (July, 06,). They said two boats loaded with provisions, drinking water, gasoline and emergency medical requirements were also seized during the raid on a safe house on the Mahankerni Beach. In addition two vans and a three wheel scooter that was used to transport the group from several locations in Chilaw was also seized by police. The youngest in the group was a five-year-old girl that included five other females, the officials added.
44 held in botched up refugee voyage
