The Sri Lankan cabinet on Wednesday said it had approved the establishment of a detention centre for foreigners who have been caught in illegal acts to be detained until they are deported.

Media Minister, Gayantha Karunathilleke, told journalists that following a proposal made by S.B. Navinna, Minister of Internal Affairs and Cultural Affairs, the cabinet had approved to set up the said Immigration and Emigration Law Enforcement Centre Kaludiyawalawatta, in the Gampaha district, just outside the capital.

The building is expected to cost of 327 million rupees, according to the plan prepared by the Department of Buildings.

"The establishment of a detention centre will be used for foreigners who have retained in the country after the expiry of visa and who use Sri Lanka as a migration centre for illegally migrating to other countries," the minister said.

(Xinhua)