By

Niranjala Ariyawansha

A special operation to deport 1,475 Pakistani asylum seekers, registered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and living in Sri Lanka, is underway by the immigration authorities, Ceylon Today learns.

A team of officials from the Department of Immigration and Emigration launched the operation to round up Pakistani asylum seekers on Thursday. Sources said the assistance of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) has been obtained for the operation and an undisclosed number of Pakistani nationals have been taken into custody by the authorities.

Sources added that the operation was launched after the intelligence sources revealed that some of the Pakistani asylum seekers in Sri Lanka are involved with insurgent groups in India and Pakistan. The operation has been conducted under a cloud of secrecy in order not to strain the relations with the Government of Pakistan.

Intelligence sources have revealed that certain Pakistani asylum seekers, who had arrived in the island on tourist visa and obtained the protection of the UNHCR, are involved in ‘anti social activities’.

Sources also added that the UNHCR has come under criticism from the Sri Lankan Government for granting protection status to the asylum seekers.

Local sources revealed that Pakistani asylum seekers in Negombo have been terrified by the on- going operation.

When contacted, Police spokesman, SSP Ajith Rohana confirmed that an operation was underway by the Immigration authorities and that police had assisted on several occasions on the request of the Department of Immigration.

Repeated efforts to contact Controller of Immigration and Emigration, Chula Perara, failed.

COURTESY:CEYLON TODAY