News Today: Major Human Trafficking Racket Detected in Sri Lanka

The Department of Immigration and Emigration (DIE) in Sri Lanka made a significant breakthrough in uncovering a major human trafficking racket involving Bangladeshi nationals. According to a report shared by the department yesterday, ten Bangladeshi nationals were arrested in Minuwangoda after arriving in Sri Lanka on tourist visas and overstaying their permitted time.

The arrest occurred at a guesthouse in Minuwangoda, where the suspects were living illegally. The investigation division of DIE launched a raid following intelligence tips, which led to the detention of the ten men. Preliminary inquiries revealed that the group had originally entered Sri Lanka from India and were planning to proceed to Dubai, eventually intending to travel to Europe.

The human trafficking operations come at a time when political instability in Bangladesh has resulted in widespread migration. Many Bangladeshis, desperate to escape the turmoil, have been attempting to reach European destinations by crossing neighboring countries, including India, Sri Lanka, and Dubai. This pattern of illegal movement highlights the ongoing global issue of human trafficking and the vulnerabilities faced by those seeking better opportunities abroad.

In 2024 alone, the DIE arrested 106 Bangladeshi nationals engaged in illegal migration, and 294 others were ordered to leave the country. These operations demonstrate the increasing vigilance of Sri Lankan authorities in tackling such illegal activities. Human trafficking has become a serious concern, not only for Sri Lanka but for neighboring countries as well, calling for greater international cooperation to combat this grave issue.