Seventeen foreign nationals have been arrested during special operations conducted by the Police in Colombo and its suburbs yesterday.

Police Spokesman Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Ajith Rohana said the suspects are Eight Thai nationals, Three Nigerians,  four Maldivians and two Indians.

They were arrested in the Mt. Lavinia, Moratuwa, Dehiwala, Slave Island, and Grandpass areas on charges of overstaying by violating visa conditions.

DIG Ajith Rohana said the special operation was conducted after the Police were alerted on foreign nationals, especially Nigerians, overstaying in Sri Lanka and carrying out online scams.

He said the suspects will be produced in Court today, while the special operations to nab foreign nationals illegally residing in Sri Lanka will continue.

Meanwhile, 08 Thailand nationals were arrested on charges of violating visa conditions.

The Police said 03 women and 05 men were found to have been overstaying in Sri Lanka without valid visa documents.

They were arrested following a special raid conducted in St. Anthony’s Mawatha in Colombo 03.

The group was arrested following a search warrant obtained from the Fort Magistrate’s Court.

The suspects will be produced before the Fort Magistrate’s Court today