Police have arrested 11
men from Sri Lanka who they believe to be involved in human trafficking.
Boonlua Chatree
Chonburi Immigration police arrested another group of Sri
Lankans using Thailand as a transit point in a human trafficking ring.
Officers raided the Prima Place Hotel and an unnamed restaurant across
the street from the inn, arresting Sankha Mihiruk Kumarasinghe, 31;
Pradeep Chaminda Kumara Kuruppu Arachchilage, 30; Gayan Tharanga
Wijerathne Rsaekanayake Wijerathne Mudiyanselage, 31; Iresh Gayashan De
Silwa, 21; Sujith Ranga Ranasinghe Ranasinghe Arachchilage, 32;
Chandralal Kumara Werake Meghasooriya Mudiyanselage, 23; Susil Waduge,
32; Amil Priyadarshana Kurpeththalage, 28. Another three unidentified
Sri Lankans were also apprehended.
While all entered the kingdom on legal visas, authorities took them into
custody as it is believed they are part of an ongoing human-trafficking
operation run with the assistance of Thais to funnel workers from Sri
Lanka to a third country.
Sixty-four Sri Lankans were apprehended Dec. 19 at the Bai-Yok Resort
Dec. 19 in the Rong Poh neighborhood. A local resident said a Thai woman
had been seen checking in on the Sri Lankans and had been responsible
for finding them temporary quarters before being shipped out via Laem
Chabang Port to another country. About 100 Sri Lankans previously had
been moved.
