Child trafficking racket uncovered in Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan officials arrested three people when they uncovered a child-trafficking racket after three children were deported from Singapore for having false documents.

The Child Protection Authority of Sri Lanka said on Monday investigations were under way to find the people behind the child smuggling, which had taken place over several months, adding the group had smuggled "a considerable number" of children.

"We have arrested three people and the investigations are going on," said Jagath Wellawattha, chairman of the authority.

Wellawattha said the investigations began when Singapore authorities deported three children, an 11-year-old girl and two 16-year-old boys, who had tried to go to Britain on forged Malaysian passports.

The children were taken from Sri Lanka to Malaysia where false Malaysian passports were prepared for them to enter Britain via Singapore, Wellawattha said.

- Reuters