Australia blames post war Lanka

7 March 2010 10:39 am - 25 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Australia says the aftermath of the conflict in Sri Lanka is resulting in more and more asylum seekers attempting to cross over to Australia with the latest boatload of 28 Sri Lankans being intercepted today, the Australian Associated Press reported.

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard says conflict in Asia is responsible for the upsurge in asylum seekers headed for Australia by boat.

Authorities intercepted another two vessels over the weekend, taking the total of arrivals to 20 in the first 66 days of the year.

A boat carrying 28 passengers and two crew was intercepted northwest of Adele Island in the early hours of this morning.

Yesterday, authorities intercepted a boat carrying 80 passengers and three crew.

Gillard said the government's border protection policies were tough and the latest asylum seekers were from war-ravaged Sri Lanka.

``If we look at the circumstances for asylum seekers, we are seeing the consequences of civil war in our region,'' Ms Gillard said. "The aftermath of a civil war in Sri Lanka.

``We want Sri Lanka to rebuild and stabilise. In this period clearly there are people on the move.

``We have a tough border protection policy because that's the right thing to do in Australia's interest.''

Both boats are being sent to Christmas Island, where the government is scrambling to increase bed numbers in the detention facilities.

Ms Gillard would not speculate on where asylum seekers would be housed once Christmas Island facility reaches its capacity.

``We are expanding capacity at Christmas Island to meet anticipated needs,'' Ms Gillard said.

``If we look at the numbers of asylum seekers, who come to our shores, we look back over the last 10 or 20 years, the number of asylum seekers is obviously related to international events which gets people on the move.''

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Comments - 25

Sunday, 07 March 2010 06:48 PM

NE, you dont know the history. What we had in SL was a Ethnic War. it was successfully portrayed by the government as a war against terrorism with vested interests.

Monday, 08 March 2010 08:16 AM

I want to tell Roger Stevens to live where his name belongs.. please do us a favour people like you have brounght only shame to this nation. The sick colonialistic mindset.

Monday, 08 March 2010 08:15 AM

They want us to live with it for ever... ?

What about innocent Indian getting attacked in Australia ?

Monday, 08 March 2010 08:00 AM

The dawn of peace in Sri Lanka erodes the legitimate grounds for refugees seeking asylum in western countries.

Hence the desperate attempts at illegal migration for economic reasons.

In other words it's now or never.

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:19 AM

This shows how pathetic country has gone. First place we do not have a civilised government .I doubt in another 50 years time politicians will realised what damage they done for this country. 50% of the population who is uneducated and fools there loyalty can be bought by a cup of tea to back the govt.
I am 100% what’s happened to Zimbabwe will happened to this country next move is embargoes until a democracy is in place.

Monday, 08 March 2010 07:17 AM

Even the majority sinhalese people doesnt like to live in the "land like no other"

Monday, 08 March 2010 05:41 AM

This is not an attack on Sri lanka. Rudd Govt is under pressure from the public in Australia and they are merely giving excuses to Australians rather than admitting their policy failures.

Monday, 08 March 2010 03:46 AM

You invited them, you blessed them, you supported them now it is up to you to keep them. One day they would be threat to the lives of your innocent people.

Monday, 08 March 2010 03:10 AM

Why blame the Australian Govt, when the Sri Lankan Govt. still has not produced a solution to the tamil problem. The vacilation by MR has gone beyond bounds and incomprehensible.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 10:44 PM

Curious distinction.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 09:00 PM

Yes, state terrorisum.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 08:47 PM

More you pamper them, more will come. Remember the case with the bota people spoksman "Alex". Perhaps he went back to bring more people.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 08:16 PM

Turn the boats round to the UK they will accept them with open arms for increasing the vote bank for the UK politcians
The elections are just 70 days away .!
.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 11:12 AM

Why all the sudden every body U-Turn!!!! good good

Sunday, 07 March 2010 06:40 PM

If you go back to past, who is VIJAYA

Sunday, 07 March 2010 06:20 PM

Asitha should understand there is no reason for MR to answer Auatralian govt. 30 year terrorrorism episode is over. People should understand this respectfully

Sunday, 07 March 2010 04:32 PM

You pamper them, Thats why these commercial migrants come in to Ausie as refugees. Thats your baby now. Give an Elam in Ausie if u want. They are not Journalists nor Opposition leaders...

Sunday, 07 March 2010 03:38 PM

Australians themselves were originally the economic refugees of England. Julia please look at your past, and you will realise that this is not a new phenomena.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 03:19 PM

MR and his govt should answer to the Australian Govt for this. This is shameful. It just goes to show the state of the refugees in the north even after the war was over.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 03:12 PM

Sri Lanka never had a civil war. What Sri Lanka had war a terrorist problem. There are many politiciáns around the world who still dont undétand this or réfuse to accept this.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 02:37 PM

It's more due to Rudd govt being perceived as more accomodating,weak knead to illegals than Howard.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 02:20 PM

The Rudd Labor government has to take some of the blame with its softening of the policies it inherited from the Howard government thereby signalling a more welcome attitude to would be boat people. Besides, it has allowed the Tamil advocacy and other 'interested' groups to assist these people and campaign effectively on their behalf.

Sunday, 07 March 2010 02:06 PM

So, we shouldn't have eradicated terrorism here to give you comfort, mate?

Sunday, 07 March 2010 12:16 PM

Because world thinks there is peace in sri lanka but the truth is we cannot live there because still the killing culture is there but no ltte state terrorism ..

Sunday, 07 March 2010 12:00 PM

What's the problem ?. Australia is big enough & Aborigines say it's OK !.

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Australia blames post war Lanka

Comments - 25

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