Sri Lanka seeks Interpol help to arrest 14 suspects

Sri Lanka Monday said it will seek assistance from Interpol to arrest 14 suspects over an attack on a fishing trawler recently, which left three people dead and two others injured, reported Xinhua.

Police spokesman Priyashantha Jayakody said that the warrants to arrest the suspects were obtained from a court in the southern town of Tangalle.

He said that investigations had revealed the suspects involved in the attack had stolen the trawler to transport illegal immigrants to a foreign country.

Hundreds have used illegal means to reach Australia by sea and the police suspect that the trawler may also be heading to Australia.

A group of 10 people on a boat had approached the fishing trawler on Oct 14 at sea off Tangalle and attacked the fishermen before throwing them overboard.

Two people were rescued but three others are still missing and presumed dead. Police suspect that the captain of the trawler was also involved in the attack as he fled with the suspects.

The police spokesman said that following investigations, 14 suspects, including some women, were identified and a court warrant was obtained to arrest them.

Interpol assistance is to be sought to arrest the suspects as they are believed to have fled the country, he said.