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by Sarath Malalasekera

The parents and close relatives, of 177 'illegal immigrants' who attempted to leave the country in two trawlers to Italy, yesterday staged a protest demonstration outside the Colombo Chief Magistrate's Court shouting slogans demanding the release of their children.

The parents and the relatives chanted "apita ape lamai denna," and took to street after Colombo Additional Magistrate Ajith Masinghe refused to grant bail to the detainees as they were produced before court under Immigration and Emigration Act.

A police team led by Inspector K.G. Dharmawardena, OIC, Keselwatta Police dispersed the crowd outside the court premises who were shouting slogans.

Police arrested the 177 persons while they were about to sail to Italy from the Negombo coast.

The Magistrate after submissions by the counsel and the officers of the Harbour Police refused bail and remanded the suspects till February 14.

The defence counsel moving for bail told court that the suspects had not violated any Immigration and Emigration Act.

The Magistrate directed the Harbour police to obtain the advice from the Attorney General and file a report on the next date. 

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