The Sri Lanka Navy conducted two separate rescue operations on September 5, recovering 11 individuals stranded on remote sandbanks off Thalaimannar in what authorities believe was a suspected human smuggling operation.
During early morning routine maritime patrols on Saturday, September 5, the Sri Lanka Navy located a group of eight people comprising four women, one man and three children aged 2, 11 and 14 stranded on a remote sandbank off Thalaimannar. Naval personnel provided the group with drinking water, food and temporary shelter while conducting preliminary inquiries.
According to the Navy's account, the individuals had travelled from Rameshwaram in India and were allegedly abandoned on the sandbank in connection with a suspected human smuggling operation. The group is believed to consist of returnees from the Anaiyur and Okkur refugee camps located in southern India.
Later that same day, during a subsequent patrol, the Navy identified a second group of three individuals—a father and two children aged 11 and 13—also stranded on a remote sandbank in the same area. The combined rescue operations brought the total number assisted by the Navy on September 5 to 11 people, including five children, four women and two men. Both groups were provided with humanitarian assistance and are scheduled to be handed over to Thalaimannar Police for further action.