Most of the migrants at British Indian Ocean Territory are Sri Lankans - UK

*** "There are 127 migrants, most of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, on the British Indian Ocean Territory. 25 are children,"

*** The Minister informed UK Parliament that his government has so far assisted the voluntary return of over sixty migrants

Most of the migrants at the British Indian Ocean Territory located in the south Indian Ocean, are Sri Lankans, the British Government said.

“There are 127 migrants, most of whom are Sri Lankan nationals, on the British Indian Ocean Territory. 25 are children,” Minister of State - Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Jesse Norman informed UK Parliament.

Last week, the Minister informed the UK Parliament that his government has so far assisted the voluntary return of over sixty migrants.

Earlier he also said that the UK government remains committed to supporting the departure of migrants from the British Indian Ocean Territory, and to meeting its legal obligations to ensure that they are not at risk of persecution on return to their country of nationality.

The UK has leased the British Indian Ocean Territory to the US, which operates a military base there. A large number of Sri Lankan failed asylum seekers are at the island for several months. (Sunil Jayasiri)