Canada's Department of Foreign Affairs says that it is aware of reports that a ship carrying illegal Tamil migrants could be headed to British Columbia.
A Sri Lankan newspaper warns the MV Sun is carrying 200 people, some of them Tamil Tigers – a group banned in Canada as a terrorist organization.
In an emailed statement to CTV News Friday, a foreign affairs spokesperson said they've heard reports suggesting the ship has departed South East Asian waters.
Ambra Dickie said part of the department's mandate is stopping illegal migrant-smuggling ships before they reach Canadian waters.
"Those responsible for migrant smuggling will be pursued, investigated and prosecuted to the full extent of Canadian law and in accordance with the provisions of international Conventions and Protocols," Ambra Dickie wrote.
Last October, a ship carrying 76 Sri Lankan migrants was intercepted off Vancouver Island, with that group aboard claiming to be fleeing persecution after the country's bloody 26-year civil war.
With files from The Canadian Press
