Lankan asylum seekers in Australia:

HC advised to address the issue

Irangika Range and Sandasen Marasinghe

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama stated in Parliament yesterday that the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka in Australia was instructed to take all the necessary measures to address the issue of Sri Lankan asylum seekers who are being detained for their attempt to enter Australia illegally. Minister Bogollagama also said that the Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd had spoken to President Mahinda Rajapaksa over the phone on the issue.

Steps have already been taken to address the issue.

Several Sri Lankans died in the sea close to the Cocas Islands near Australia last week after their boat capcised.

The Minister was responding to a question raised by JVP Parliamentarian Bimal Ratnayake.