Fri, 29 Mar 2024 Today's Paper

98 more Australia-bound people nabbed

25 August 2012 03:30 pm - 3     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Sri Lanka's navy on Saturday detained 98 would-be asylum-seekers making for Australia, an official said, the largest group since Canberra tightened restrictions on boatpeople headed to its shores.

They were travelling in two fishing trawlers along the northwestern and eastern coasts of Sri Lanka, a navy spokesman said, adding that one boat carried 77 people while the other had 21.

"They were handed over to the police for further action," the spokesman said. "Among those detained was a woman."

The detection was the biggest since Australia's parliament last week passed a law to transfer asylum-seekers arriving by boat to holding centres on Pacific islands before considering their application for refugee status.

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's administration has struggled to cope with a record influx of boatpeople this year, many originally from Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iran and Iraq who make their way to Australia via Asia.

Sri Lankan authorities say they have arrested nearly 1,000 people who have tried to leave for Australia illegally this year.(AFP)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

  Comments - 3

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka
  • Jagath Leanagej Saturday, 25 August 2012 05:07 PM

    What I cant understand is why these people leaving "Wonder of Asia".

    Sarneris Saturday, 25 August 2012 05:44 PM

    Sad indication of Sri Lanka becoming another Somalia.

    Fair N Square Saturday, 25 August 2012 06:03 PM

    Asutralian government seem to have lined the pockets of some " BIG SHOT" so that these people will be nabbed around SL and will NOT be in aussie.
    Why would they be nabbed when all what they are looking for is greener pastures. NOT all are qualified to go by way of the points system and they anyway will help the GDP grow as they will send money for their kith and Kin... What ood does it do for SL in nabbing these people. All it does is to add more court cases to add to the misery already faced by the citizens of SL. I know of some cases that have taken more than 30 yrs and still in courts with NO justice in sight...


Add comment

Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Reply To:

Name - Reply Comment





Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

VAT increase: SOUNDs death knell for publishers, readers

Though the Government imposed VAT (Value Added Tax) on vegetables and other e

How female change-makers are driving Sri Lanka’s energy saving platform

Saving energy has become more of a responsibility than a habit in today’s c

A dull Ramadan awaits Muslims amidst the Soaring Cost of Living

In the coming days, Muslims across the world will welcome the Holy Month of R

New wildlife underpass to curtail HEC

As of February 2024, Sri Lanka lost another 38 elephants as a result of the H