Sri Lankan police arrest 41 people allegedly headed illegally to Australia in 2 fishing boats

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — Sri Lankan police say they’ve arrested 41 people attempting to migrate illegally to Australia in two fishing boats.

Police spokesman Ajith Rohana says the suspects were arrested as they were preparing to board the boats on Sri Lanka’s east coast Thursday night.

He says the group includes 38 men, one woman and two children. Several human smugglers are believed to be among those arrested. An investigation is under way to find the mastermind behind the racket.

Hundreds of Sri Lankans try each year to leave illegally by boats for Australia, New Zealand and Europe looking for jobs.

Australia’s debate over how to cope with the increasing flow of asylum seekers has intensified since two boats carrying Australia-bound migrants capsized in the last two weeks, killing more than 90 people.

04:33ET 06-07-12