Would-be asylum seekers arrested

4 March 2010 03:04 pm - 34 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A group of would be illegal Sri Lankan asylum seekers were arrested by the police in Batticaloa while planning to escape by boat to Australia, Police Spokesman SP Preshanth Jayakody said.

The 25 member group made up of 20 Tamil and 5 Sinhalese from the areas of Udappu in Chilaw, had been arrested in a joint effort by the Army and the Police.

One GPS, dry rations for the duration of one month and several maps were also recovered in the raid on a safe house in Nawaladi. (SD)

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Comments - 34

Friday, 05 March 2010 04:38 AM

The desire on the part of many Sri Lankans, irrespective of their ethnicities, to leave the country in search of 'greener pastures' has been quite evident over the years. Many have adopted legitimate means to fulfil their wishes in that regard whilst some others, like those invoved in this instance, have resorted to illegal methods for the purpose. We will for sure continue to hear of attempts by those falling into the latter category as long as there are countries (like Australia) who are prepared to accept illicit arrivals on their shores with open arms.

Friday, 05 March 2010 02:36 AM

its very shame for our motherland

Friday, 05 March 2010 02:43 AM

Given a chance, half the population of Sri Lanka will try to leave the country to escape the Rajapakse dictatorship.

Friday, 05 March 2010 03:02 AM

Since the right way is not so easy , some have found a easy way to get to Australia. For sure there must be someone big behind this. Also this process must be costinga good fortune of life for them. Also fellows doen not have to do IELTS. The Australians are already attacking Indians and if this goes on like this before long the Sri Lankans will also have to face the same.

Friday, 05 March 2010 03:09 AM

Good try missed............. try again ................

Friday, 05 March 2010 03:53 AM

Our country is the best in the world. believe it or not. i have been in the USA and i know what is to live in a country which is not ours. stay back in our golden land. you lived through 30 years of violence. now our country is free. dont go to any country as refugees. we have a brilliant future ahead. stay with your family,friends. fight for our future. dont go to australia or any other country and spoil our good name for the sake of claiming refuge.

Friday, 05 March 2010 04:08 AM

First of all GOSL must reveal a PACKAGE for Tamils as promised by the President & government so that Tamils will know their STATUS in Sri Lanka. Once Tamils are confident , they will not just flee to any other country. Even after 9 months after the LTTE is VANQUISHED nothing has been done to ally the fears of the Tamils. CAN ANYONE WITH KNOWLEDGE on this subject shed some light.

Friday, 05 March 2010 04:13 AM

should arrest and punish severly for leaving this beautiful calm and quiet country :)

Friday, 05 March 2010 04:27 AM

Calistus,

Not 50%, I would say 80%

Friday, 05 March 2010 02:28 AM

Except for the die-hard worshippers (confused or drugged?) anyone in their right mind will want to leave 'the sinking paradise'. As Samantha Perera says, by hook or crook. Some if they have the means legally, and illegally if you don't have.

Friday, 05 March 2010 05:14 AM

Once again. India is trying to deceive Tamil votes in favour of MR's government. MR's survival is very important for India's security and geographical concerns.

Friday, 05 March 2010 05:20 AM

Seems Like everybody is running away from Sri Lanka and finally SL will be like an abandoned Desert .

Friday, 05 March 2010 05:43 AM

When the ship is sinking even rats would run away

Friday, 05 March 2010 05:48 AM

Cant blame them, the way we are heading it makes sence that they are searching for a better life!
Very soon we will become the "world capital of asylum-seekers"... to add to many lists that we already are "notorious" members of! God save us!

Friday, 05 March 2010 10:44 AM

Beware if skinheads' racial attack they may mistake you for an Indian (of course your skin colour won't change like chameleons though you all change your political colour often) once you reach the shore of Kangaroo land!

Friday, 05 March 2010 11:38 AM

Who does not want to leave this country. Almost everyone including the ministers too will like to leave this god forsaken country for a better life in another country. Only the hardcore sychophants will want to live in this republic that is bananas.

Saturday, 06 March 2010 06:06 AM

MR.PRESIDENT, Y PEOPLE ARE FLEEING WHEN YOUR ARE SAYING PEACE IN THE COUNTRY. NOT ONLY TAMILS NOW BUT SINHALESE TOO.Y R THEY SF"S PEOPLE??

Thursday, 04 March 2010 06:59 PM

This is happening because Australia is sympathetic towards them ... if they refuse one lot, all will stop!

Thursday, 04 March 2010 05:06 PM

This type of situations in a country which faced a war for 30 years must be handled very carefully. Ours is a multinational country and one of the minorities who suffered very badly by the long lasted war are involved in the situatiion.As we are aware this has already become an international issue.Although some ministers and government officials are of the openion that nothern and eastern minorities are happy with everything but they do not have mental happiness. It is the governments' bounden duty and the responibility to make sure they live like a majority in this country. By using force and procecuting people who try to run away from the country will not help at all. Instead government must make them mentally feel that they are not discriminated.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 05:10 PM

it is not good for the country the reason srilanka not bound by the law of land. the politicians has made the srilanka as a communal country. the benifit of politicians . and the prelates are nothing do with politics, example Archbishop of colombo Mr Rangth is involved in politics for his personal benefit he is not prelate discrased to our religion. sinhalise tamils, muslim are seperated by the politicians ,even today example MR Fonsaka the Army the war hero was treated by the govt the unwanted un justice, example prof G L Peires talking about MR Fonsaka case he himself did not known wheather it is a criminal or civial; case but the f act is no case for him. srilanka isolated from westran world srilanka must sent the gament to indian market Prof G L Peiries did the mockery of GSP..

Thursday, 04 March 2010 05:24 PM

Other countries are trying to prevent people illegally arriving in - Sri Lanka joins the rather notorious set of countries from which people want to flee - Burma, Ethiopia, come to mind. Batticaloa was "liberated" almost two years ago with India offering to ensure development and ethnic harmony. If the writing on the wall is not abundantly clear to the laymen - could some self proclaimed political intellectual please provide some insight?

Thursday, 04 March 2010 05:38 PM

Why should these people be so desperate to leave in boats. Simply because the situation in the country is so bad the refugee problem is being ignored by the govt. after the Presidential elections.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 05:40 PM

They should not be arrested but taken care of . Then this problem wont arise.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 05:41 PM

My heart goes out to these refugees. What a plight. They don't have anywhere to turn. The govt must solve this problem immediately.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 06:30 PM

These men are Karuna's ...

Thursday, 04 March 2010 06:35 PM

Given the chance, 50% of the citizens might opt to run away from the country, as it is now!

Thursday, 04 March 2010 04:32 PM

Not good for the country when many keep trying to runaway from it.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 07:08 PM

Why arrest them ? ? ? How about a 'farewell party' instead ? ? ? It'll be good for the economy!

Thursday, 04 March 2010 07:11 PM

Can you blame them?

Thursday, 04 March 2010 08:42 PM

'Economic refugees,' looking for a 'better' life in Australia.

Thursday, 04 March 2010 10:18 PM

Why arrest them? People should be free to go, wherever they want to. Citizens runaway when the country is not good to live in. Let there be real freedom!

Thursday, 04 March 2010 11:33 PM

Duh! - As my three-year-old would say! Of course they are looking for a "better life" - why would you think that Gotabaya, SF, or for that matter, even Chandrika, chose to go abroad - for a worse life ? ? ?

Friday, 05 March 2010 12:52 AM

Let anyone to go our legally or illegally. They may suffer a bit at the beginning and once settledown SriLanka will earn foreign exchange through their remittance to their parents, relatives and siblings. Parents, siblings and relatives of people ended up in Europe, US, Canada and Australia are enjoying life in Sri Lanka now on their foreign income and they are no more burden to GOSL. If I hold power I would encourage people to leave at any cost. Less people here means more income for GOSL.

Friday, 05 March 2010 02:14 AM

Let them come to Austalaia, they will be given a house, car, bank loan and supported by various 'do-gooder' here!......

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Would-be asylum seekers arrested

Comments - 34

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