The Australian government has sent a group of 30 asylum seekers to Colombo, the second such group in as many days, in a specially chartered flight Christmas Island earlier today.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen told media that the group were "involuntarily"' returned, bringing eh total number of asylum seekers deported to Sri Lanka 186, since new immigration policies were put into place in August of this year.
Bowen went on to say,
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen told media that the group were "involuntarily"' returned, bringing eh total number of asylum seekers deported to Sri Lanka 186, since new immigration policies were put into place in August of this year.
Bowen went on to say,
"They were advised of their status and that they were subject to removal from Australia. They raised no issues that engaged Australia's international obligations,”The announcement comes as the Sri Lankan Navy reported arresting another group of 47 asylum seekers who sought to flee to Australia on Tuesday.
"Without a valid visa they had no legal right to remain in Australia and were removed at the earliest opportunity,”
"People who pay smugglers are risking their lives and throwing their money away. There is no visa awaiting them on arrival, no speedy outcome, and no special treatment,"
"We will continue to regularly transfer people to Nauru and shortly to Manus Island".
