Sri Lanka's navy says it has arrested 103 men who were attempting to migrate to Australia illegally in three fishing trawlers.

A navy statement said Tuesday that two trawlers were intercepted Monday off the island's western coast and another detained off the eastern coast.

It says those arrested were Sri Lankan men. They have been handed over to police who are investigating.

It is an offense under Sri Lankan law to leave the country through unauthorized ports. Those who do can receive a sentence of up to five years in prison.

Already this year, police have arrested 600 Australia-bound Sri Lankans, Indians, Pakistanis and Afghans in Sri Lankan waters.