Concern over boat people bringing in the virus
The danger of boatloads of people crossing over to Sri Lanka surreptitiously and setting off the spread of COVID-19, is causing grave concern among many.
“We have managed to prevent community transmission but this type of boat-landings could pose a major threat,” many sources said.
These fears were sparked by the seizure of a boat off Talaimannar on June 7, with a man and his daughter from a refugee camp in Tamil Nadu, India. The boat had been intercepted by the navy and the two persons had been taken into custody by the Madhu Police.
Investigations had revealed that six more people had arrived in Jaffna. They had been arrested while hiding in the area and along with the other two had been sent into quarantine at the Punanai centre.
When asked, Navy Spokesman Lt. Com. Isuru Suriyabandara said that they had launched special sea operations from the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic to thwart illegal immigrants from coronavirus-hit countries coming here.
“We strengthened operations off the north and north-western coast, where there are many fishing clusters, since they could be used as a cover by smugglers. We were also alert for human and drug smuggling,” he said, adding that they were supported by the army, police and coast guard, with the Air Force carrying out reconnaissance flight.
Meanwhile, other reports indicated that the Mannar Police Intelligence Officers detected six more people whose visas had expired but were hiding in Mannar. They were produced before the Mannar courts and investigations are on to ascertain how they came into the country.
The security forces are urging the public in the north to be alert about strangers in their areas.
Across the Palk Straits, the Sunday
Times found that as of June 17, there were 354,065 confirmed COVID-19 cases in India, which included 155,227 ‘active’ cases and 11,903 deaths. This was while there were 2,003 deaths in 24 hours on Wednesday (June 17).