Mayotte. Sri Lankan migrants arrive on the island for the first time

In Mayotte, 18 migrants from Sri Lanka were arrested by the police this Monday morning on a beach on the island, a first for the 101st French department.

16 men and 2 women. 18 Sri Lankan migrants , who would have left the Indian continent a fortnight ago, were arrested this Monday, May 27 on a beach in the south of the island of Mayotte – and this is a first for the 101st French department. According to the declarations of the refugees, their dhow ran aground in N’gouja, one of the most touristic beaches in the South of the Perfume Island, said the commander of the Mayotte gendarmerie, General Philippe Leclercq .

The boat, in difficulty, was reported to the police by the municipality.

These migrants from Sri Lanka are in a worrying health condition, General Leclerc added. The one who has been identified as captain will be subject to ” appropriate judicial treatment” , he said.

“Illegal immigration networks at work”

With 48% of foreigners within its population, the 101st French department is under strong migratory pressure, generally from the neighboring islands of the Comoros, the closest of which, Anjouan, is 70 km from its coast.

If the arrival of Sri Lankans in Mayotte is unprecedented, the island of Reunion is regularly the destination of migrants from this country. Since March 2018, 273 people from Sri Lanka have arrived in this neighboring department of the Indian Ocean.

Just over 4,000 kilometers separate Reunion Island from Sri Lanka. It “is clearly illegal immigration networks at work” , said Frederic Joram late December, Secretary General of the Prefecture of La Reunion.

Aishwarya Yogeshwar

Aishwarya Yogeshwar is the visionary founder of CGI Jaffna, a pioneering organization dedicated to fostering innovation and community growth in the Jaffna region. With a deep passion for news publishing, Aishwarya combines her entrepreneurial spirit with a keen interest in delivering impactful and engaging stories. Her commitment to creating a platform for reliable news and meaningful discourse reflects her dedication to empowering communities through knowledge and information. Aishwarya’s leadership and innovative approach make her a driving force in the world of media and communication.

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