Colombo Chief Magistrate Asanga S. Bodaragama has ordered the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into an alleged organised human trafficking and ransom scheme.Under this scheme, Sri Lankan nationals have been reportedly sent to Ethiopia under the false promise of being taken to Canada.

The order was issued yesterday (Jun. 01) after officers of the CID’s Human Trafficking, Smuggling Investigation and Maritime Crime Division informed the court regarding the matter.CID officers told the court that the victims were allegedly misled with promises of travel to Canada and instead transported to Ethiopia, where they were subjected to violence by organized criminal groups operating in that country.It was further alleged that ransom payments of around USD 30,000 per person were demanded for their release.