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46 illegal Sri Lankan migrants deported from Australia, arrived

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6 August 2022 01:38 am - 5     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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A total of 46 Sri Lankans repatriated from Australia were brought back to Sri Lanka onboard an Australian Border Force (ABF) vessel for the first time and disembarked at the Port of Colombo on Friday.

These illegal migrants were taken into custody by the ABF while attempting to enter Australia illegally via sea by boats.

They disembarked from the Australian ABF patrol vessel 'Ocean Shield' and were handed over to the Sri Lankan authorities in keeping with the healthcare procedures to contain the spread of COVID 19 followed by preliminary health checkups.

Recalling the long-standing close cooperation between the two countries, the ABF Regional Director for South Asia, Commander Chris Waters said they have repatriated 183 individuals from Australia following six unsuccessful illegal maritime crossings since May this year.

“No policy changes in Australian side in relation to unauthorized maritime human smuggling with the change of Government”, he stressed.

Commander Western Naval Area of the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN), Rear Admiral Dhammika Kumara highlighting the consequences of the futile illegal migration attempts due to maritime patrols of SLN, Sri Lanka Coastguard and ABF stressed “Not to fall prey into the hand of such illegal racketeers”.

It is the first occasion that repatriation was conducted by an Australian ABF ship. The ABF vessel ‘Ocean Shield’ is one of Australia’s offshore vessels that conduct far-reaching patrols and responds to illegal activities including human smuggling.

High Commissioner Designate of Australia to Sri Lanka, Paul Stephens, officials of the Australian High Commission, SLN and ABF were present at the occasion.

This group of illegal immigrants had made their voyage in a multiday fishing trawler from Valaichchenai, Batticaloa in early July (6) this year (2022). These individuals aged 17 to 49 years are residents of Valaichchenai, Batticaloa, Pasikuda, Ampara, Bibila and Muthur.

The ABF officials handed over the repatriated group of illegal immigrants to the Immigration and Emigration Department officials at Colombo Port, through the Sri Lanka Navy. 


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  Comments - 5

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  • dot Saturday, 06 August 2022 03:21 AM

    Feel very sad for these people who is responsible for this humiliating episode .the vile human smuggler or the Rulers that failed them ?

    Sannah m6 Saturday, 06 August 2022 01:34 PM

    That was so good. I think the British government must also learn from Australia. Why people don't study skills and apply to enter the country on a right channel

    Punchi Saturday, 06 August 2022 03:23 AM

    Our universal rote learning education system has failed. Even though there is ample information that both Australia and French Reunion are turning back boat people our people “kallathonis” are still foolishly and unintelligently Being defrauded of money trying to get to these places

    Mary Williams Saturday, 06 August 2022 12:19 PM

    According to UN Human Rights law it is NOT illegal for people whose lives are in danger to seek refuge in another country. Please stop acquiescing to the Australian Government's ongoing abuse of everyone's International Human Rights when speaking of people who come to us, in whatever way they can, asking for refuge.

    G.O Nona Wednesday, 10 August 2022 10:23 PM

    Is this really true Mary you silly girl. Honestly do you read the papers ma'am. What if all of Africa which is around half a billion people relocated to Australia because nobody feels safe living in the dark continent? They have poverty, insecurity and no opportunities of employment which are the usual excuses to emigrate illegally... Then imagine Australia becoming a majority African continent? Do you think there will be law


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