More Lankans opt to return to SL

29 September 2012 04:49 am - 11 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Another group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers has asked to be sent home, rather than risk Australia sending them to an offshore processing facility.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says the group consists of 28 men who arrived both before and after the new processing arrangements for Nauru and Manus Island were announced in August.

He says the men have come from detention centres on Nauru, Christmas Island, as well as mainland facilities including Villawood and Northam.

The men are on a flight to Colombo that departed Christmas Island this morning.

Earlier this month another group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers opted to head home rather than be sent to Nauru.

Meanwhile the Department of Immigration has confirmed that 52 boats and nearly 3,200 passengers have been intercepted since the new processing arrangements came into force.

It has also confirmed more than 300 asylum seekers were intercepted from three boats in Australian waters yesterday.

A total of 150 asylum seekers have now been taken to Nauru under the new policy. (ABC News)

Pix by Deepa Adikari

Comments - 11

Ganesh Saturday, 29 September 2012 01:57 PM

People don't notice that there are all three communities in the boat people. Check the names of the people who volunteered to return!

Kalu Sudda Saturday, 29 September 2012 09:21 PM

Are these tamils gone mad returning to a country that kills them.Please Australia keep them under your skirts. I Promise they will not bite you.

Political Illiterate Saturday, 29 September 2012 10:38 PM

Any way all unpatriotic people are deemed as ex terrorists. Defining moment!

Vicks Saturday, 29 September 2012 11:15 PM

In the first batch of 18 returnees, there were 14 Sinhalese, 1 Muslim and 3 Tamils. In the recent batch of 28, there were 23 Sinhalese, 1 Muslim and 3 Tamils. What does this kind of break-up imply?

RAJKK Saturday, 29 September 2012 06:45 AM

oHHHH SL unable to give asylum/justice to their own brother and sister. How can they justify the course of minority community.

Ahamed Saturday, 29 September 2012 09:10 AM

Get a holiday in pacific ocean island nauru and come back home with an air ticket sponsored by Australian government..

Gadzooks Sunday, 30 September 2012 11:57 AM

That sort of shoots the air of the commenters' bigoted balloon, don't you think?

Gadzooks Sunday, 30 September 2012 12:10 PM

If any of them had high educational qualifications and professional skills, Australia might indeed welcome them.

Gadzooks Sunday, 30 September 2012 12:12 PM

Breakdown.... it implies people are leaving the country for reasons other than ethnic discrimination.

Abdul Sunday, 30 September 2012 01:28 PM

how come they exit from the airport with smily faces? they have violated sri lankan law by leaving the country illegally. the government is just sending them back home ?

lal Saturday, 29 September 2012 12:08 PM

Looks like it is match over for humbug refugees. Easy way to capture ex terrorists on their return.

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.

More Lankans opt to return to SL

Comments - 11

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Turmoil in Toronto as “Tigers” Target TNA Meeting

Food donations meant for inmates Apeksha Hospital officials serve themselves!

A Sri Lankan giving dignified burials to unclaimed bodies for five decades

Focus on Laggala Gem mining big shots bigger than the law

How and why the TNA was formed twenty years ago

India lays emphasis on culture diplomacy with Sri Lanka

Bittersweet memories of a ‘City that never slept’

Most Viewed in News

Biden ignores Sri Lanka for democracy summit

Kinniya ferry tragedy: MP's house comes under attack

Pfizer may be harmful; import other vaccines: Prof. Tissa Vitharana

Explosion reported at McDonald's at Cinnamon Gardens building

Domestic gas cylinder explodes at house in Hokandara

Composition change blamed for gas explosions

TODAY'S HEADLINES

No composition change in LP gas cylinders: Litro

Govt. enjoys two third majority because of SLFP

No issue in remembering war victims: Kiriella

Domestic gas cylinder explodes at house in Hokandara

MIRROR CRICKET

England take early T20I series lead over Sri Lanka

New Zealand clinch World Test title

LPL 2nd edition from July 30-August 22-SLC

Sanath Jayasuriya signs as coach at Melbourne cricket club Mulgrave

Chameera released as Sri Lanka trim squad ahead of second Test

Embuldeniya stars as Sri Lanka thrash West Indies

Sri Lanka four wickets away from big win over West Indies

Sri Lanka four wickets away from big win over West Indies