COLOMBO, Aug 1: Pakistan’s interior minister Syed Faisal Saleh Hayat discussed the issue of human smuggling with Sri Lankan officials, a minister said on Friday, as Colombo announced the arrest of a new batch of 21 Indians and Pakistanis allegedly preparing to leave illegally for Italy.

Hayat’s Sri Lankan counterpart John Amaratunga said the two ministers had discussed possible solutions to the problem.

The latest arrests bring to 682 the number of Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi nationals arrested in July for using Sri Lanka as a transit point for illegal immigration.

“I sought the Pakistani interior minister’s co-operation to stop human trafficking activities,” Amaratunga said.

Sri Lankan authorities say that human smuggling has impeded the smooth functioning of the gratis visa scheme among the nations of the South Asian Association for Regional Co-operation (Saarc) initiated by Sri Lanka.

People-smuggling in Sri Lanka used to involve primarily locals, but authorities say would-be illegal immigrants from neighbouring countries have been increasingly drawn since the island began issuing visas on arrival in a bid to attract South Asian tourists.

Sri Lankan fishermen are known to operate modified fishing trawlers for a treacherous three-week journey to the Red Sea where immigrants are transferred to larger ships to take them to Europe.

Those who make it to their destination are frequently arrested or deported.

Amaratunga added that Hayat had also exchanged ideas with Sri Lankan police on combating terrorism as well as anti-narcotics operations.—AFP