According to the Sunday Observer, Sri Lanka's English newspaper, about 200 migrants are aboard the MV Sun Sea, a ship previously known as Harin Panich 19.

The vessel was reportedly headed to Australia originally, but the boat changed route after Sri Lanka's foreign ministry warned the Aussies. It's now believed to be headed to British Columbia.

Some passengers are reportedly members of the Tamil Tigers, a violent arm of the Tamil separatist movement, which Canada has listed as a terrorist group.

Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Ambra Dickie said Canada is aware of the media reports about the vessel.

“The Government of Canada's strategic approach with respect to migrant vessels includes efforts abroad that involve stopping illegal migrant-smuggling ships that are destined for Canada at their points of departure,” said Dickie.

The ship, however, is reportedly already en route.

Dickie said Foreign Affairs doesn't know the vessel's whereabouts, but it is readying for its possible arrival in Canada.

“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,” she said.

The Sri Lankan army crushed the Tamil rebellion in May 2009 after a 26-year civil war.

The Canadian Tamil Congress said the conditions on the ground are leading many desperate people to take dangerous risks.

“Although the Sri Lankan government declared that war is over, there is no peace…(Tamils) are still a persecuted minority,” said David Poopalapillai, national spokesman for the congress.

“When you are subject to various forms of torture…you try to get out of the country at any cost,” he said. “(But) we strongly feel that our people should not take these types of treacherous voyages and put their lives at risks.”

Poopalapillai said Tamils, like many other persecuted minorities, look upon Canada “as the safest heaven” in the world.(QMI)