More asylum boat reaches Cocos Island

8 July 2012 08:50 am - 3 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Another boat of asylum seekers, believed to be Sri Lankans has arrived at the distant Cocos Islands, chugging into the lagoon around mid-morning Sunday.

The boat - understood to be carrying 28 Sri Lankan males - is the fifth to arrive since May at the Australian territory in the Indian ocean.

A formerly abandoned quarantine station on the main island has been refurbished with fridges, washing machines and linen to accommodate new arrivals after the government conceded Cocos Islands were being increasingly targeted as an asylum destination.

The territory lies on the Australian side of halfway from Sri Lanka and is roughly 3000 km from Ashmore Reef - another Australian territory below West Timor.
With Christmas Island in the middle, this leaves open waters rough three times the size of the Nullabour plain for Australia to patrol.

Sri Lankan police claimed on Friday to have stopped a boat carrying 41 people departing bound for Australia. (SMH.COM.AU)

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Comments - 3

Hisham Sunday, 08 July 2012 11:02 AM

at this rate we can have a Srilankan Minister in Australia soon !

peeda mossa Sunday, 08 July 2012 11:51 AM

Seems like there is a heavy commuter demand to Australia lately. How about starting a boat service, Sri Lankan, to cover up some of your losses.

roger Sunday, 08 July 2012 12:51 PM

Why not the Sri Lankan Navy start one

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More asylum boat reaches Cocos Island

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