Video: Sri Lanka disputes refugee claims

25 June 2013 03:23 am - 14 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Sri Lanka's minister for external affairs GL Peiris says he can guarantee the safety of people returning to Sri Lanka after failed asylum seeker claims in countries such as Australia.

GL Peiris has told Australia Network's Newsline he disputes the genuine nature of many asylum seeker claims made by people fleeing Sri Lanka.

"They have been returned by Australia because Australia was convinced that they are not in danger - Australia is not alone in that," he said.

"The actions taken by these governments independently is proof enough of the fact that conditions in Sri Lanka are stable and that there is no danger at all to these people."

Sri Lankans have continued to seek asylum in countries such as Britain and Australia after the country's civil war ended in 2009.

Record numbers of Sri Lankan asylum seekers have arrived in Australian waters by boat in the past year but more than 1,200 applications for asylum have been rejected, sent back by immigration officials after just one interview.

Many of the applicants are Tamils who say they've been persecuted but the Sri Lankan government says the country has stabilised since civil war ended.

Mr Peiris says Sri Lanka is "entirely at peace" and the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in November will give the country a chance to "showcase" its achievements in this regard.

"There is no substitute for the evidence of their own eyes, a personal observation is the best thing ... that is one of the chief advantages of the upcoming conference for us," he said.(ANN)

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Comments - 14

Cholan Tuesday, 25 June 2013 03:49 AM

First guarantee the safety of people living in SL

indi Tuesday, 25 June 2013 03:59 AM

I don'think it is safe to return since they will be behind bars if they do so.I myself know how I was treated by some Sinhalese people.

Living overseas Tuesday, 25 June 2013 04:55 AM

SL is still third world and under developed with no proper infrastructure or basic human needs. It is a poverty stricken country run by thugs and hooligans with no proper education

Abdul Tuesday, 25 June 2013 05:39 AM

why dont they go to tamil nadu ? its only 30 km away from sri lanka

ANTON Tuesday, 25 June 2013 05:50 AM

PLEASE LET THEM LIVE THERE PEACEFULLY WITHOUT MAKING THEM CORRUPT..

Yuri Tuesday, 25 June 2013 06:17 AM

Becouse there is not much diffrent beteen india and Sri Lanka

BuffaloaCitizen Tuesday, 25 June 2013 07:38 AM

The only part correct in your comment is "third world" and "country run by thugs and hooligans with no proper education", the rest is incorrect.

CROW Tuesday, 25 June 2013 07:54 AM

Prof ! Please let them earn .

Rata Haraka Tuesday, 25 June 2013 07:56 AM

They can (and certainly should be) safe, but they should also damn well be prosecuted and charged (for trying to 'jump' the country illegally). A wrong is a wrong, whoever does it. As for Indi's comment, yes, they damn well SHOULD be behind bars. For whatever period that befits the 'crime'.

Blueglax Tuesday, 25 June 2013 10:53 AM

LIVE AND LET LIVE

Ravi Tuesday, 25 June 2013 12:15 PM

Abdul get ready to go back to Pakistan its close by start packing.

Suq Madique Tuesday, 25 June 2013 12:35 PM

Better them than the terrorist prabha. When tamils were under the LTTE they didn't dare open their mouths and had to hide their children to escape conscription.

Fawzan Tuesday, 25 June 2013 01:57 PM

I foundly remembered "zero casuality" claim made by the defense secretary. No one is willing to believe jokers.

raviraj Wednesday, 26 June 2013 04:01 AM

only political thugs are safe in SL

even your former army commander is not safe in SL

The CID is investigating the Leader of the Opposition for writing a book, what safety can you guarantee

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Video: Sri Lanka disputes refugee claims

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