At least 45 individuals, who were accused of planning to leave for Australia illegally, have been arrested from a hotel in Unawatuna.

The group was arrested by officers attached to the Habaraduwa Police.All the suspects have been identified as residents of Jaffna, and three children are among the arrested group.These suspects have been staying in various places on the island for about a month with the aim of illegally migrating to Australia.

Police said that they have taken a bus from Vavuniya and arrived at Unawatuna Hotel on Saturday (22), claiming that they were going on a five-day trip

The suspects are due to be produced before the Galle Magistrate on Sunday (23).