Another Lankan boat to Christmas Island

2 July 2012 02:53 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 16 Bookmark

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The small ramshackled fishing vessel carrying the 39 mainly male asylum seekers is currently sitting not far from shore at Christmas Island’s cove, with around five Navy officers on board.

The men waved and smiled this morning as they sat and stood on their rickety boat while being watched by the Navy.

Asulym seekers, thought to be Sri Lankan, on their fishing boat waiting to be transfered to Christmas Island's Flying Fish Cove. Picture: Daniel Wilkins

Their boat was intercepted overnight west of Christmas Island by HMAS Maitland and was moored in the cove last night.

Preparations are currently underway to bring the passengers to shore where they will then be transferred to one of the overflowing detention facilities on the island.

The boat is the latest in a recent influx which saw four boats intercepted or offloaded in about 24 hours from last Thursday night. Yesterday another boat carrying Sri Lankan men was also intercepted and the 53 passengers were brought to Flying Fish Cove.

Yesterday also saw the arrival of 67 Sri Lankans at Christmas Island’s airport after they were flown from Cocos Islands where they landed last Friday.
Passengers from another boat carrying 41 people, whose identities are unknown, are also on their way to the island after being intercepted on Friday at the Ashmore Islands.

A Sri Lankan man on board an asylum boat last week is suspected to have chicken pox, prompting a health warning to the large variety of staff who deal with asylum seekers when they reach the island.

The workers have been advised to seek treatment at the island’s hospital if they develop a rash or itch.

The Department of Immigration and Citizenship said they were “closely monitoring the situation” and had arrangements in place including isolation accommodation if necessary. (News .com.au)

Comments - 16

backstreet boys Monday, 02 July 2012 03:42 AM

some big shot is making lots of money !

1 44

maju Monday, 02 July 2012 04:10 AM

i dont know why ppl want to leave sl when v have the best governance and economy in the world?

12 34

Punchi Putha Monday, 02 July 2012 04:24 AM

Looks like they have boats daily from SL to Christmas Island, do we have a time table and the fares for this one way trip? ;-)

3 44

Calistus Jayatilleke Monday, 02 July 2012 05:09 AM

Looks like Christmas has come early !

3 17

Jacoob Monday, 02 July 2012 05:22 AM

Na na Calistus Malli,
It has just been transferred from Vavuniya to A'Pura ..then to Coccos then only to Christmas...

5 8

wasanthi Monday, 02 July 2012 05:22 AM

Actually this is a foolish thing to do. spending such big money and also taking the risk. these people should use those money to do some business and be happy with their love one's in Sri Lanka. those who work hard can live pecefully in SL. I don'e need to go Out...

8 20

Jacoob Monday, 02 July 2012 05:23 AM

Go Hambantota and inquire from the younger clan You will find out..

4 26

ravi Monday, 02 July 2012 05:56 AM

after some years this all will be very rich people ha.

2 13

Kondebandapucheena Monday, 02 July 2012 06:22 AM

lets open Sea Plane service to X Mas Island !

3 14

Dilan Monday, 02 July 2012 06:25 AM

This is going out of control. No wonder we cant get visa's anywhere in the world.

2 26

Weerawansza Monday, 02 July 2012 06:28 AM

Sad but true sign of Sri Lanka turning into another Somalia.

5 22

Nodrog Monday, 02 July 2012 07:06 AM

Once they get there and are sent to those deplorable refugee camps they will realize how foolish they were and wish they were back home.

5 14

Don Monday, 02 July 2012 07:32 AM

Those people wont realize men. If they had brains to think what they were doing in the first place, they are doing things physically without using the brain cells.

6 11

Jacoob Monday, 02 July 2012 07:37 AM

Droggy,

still better than getting transfer from vavuniya to A'Pura. What do you reckon !!

11 10

Priyan Tuesday, 03 July 2012 07:33 AM

Really.Australia is best country in the world. U can't judge a country by country by ancient history and Civilization.
how they look after poor and vulnerable. That's why they get onto even leaky boats. Lide inna madiyo dannawada owa

0 1

Andrew Pitugala Tuesday, 03 July 2012 08:48 AM

Boat loads abandoning the miracle of Asia.

1 1

222

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