Security authorities in the north have stepped up surveillance activities, especially in the Palk Strait waters, following reports that wanted criminals were leaving for India using the Mannar Sea.
It is said that with the support of international human-smuggling elements, most-wanted notorious criminals have escaped from legal action and ended up in Middle Eastern countries.
This week two suspects, aged 34 and 35, were repatriated by Indian authorities shortly after they reached India by boat via Mannar. It came to light that both were wanted in connection with the recent killing of a man during a birthday party in Wattala.
Upon their arrival, the two suspects were taken into custody by the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and later handed over to the Crime Unit of Colombo North Division of Police for further investigations.