'Majority of deported asylum seekers from Britain'

Chamikara WEERASINGHE

Of the failed Sri Lankan asylum seekers who had been flown back to the country, majority have been from Britain, said External Affairs Ministry Secretary Karunathilaka Amunugama.

Over 300 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, most of them Tamils, have been deported by the government of the United

Kingdom during the past six months," said Amunugama.

This is inspite of the calls by Tamil diaspora in the United Kingdom to suspend deportation of Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka. Amumugama said , the deportations of the asylum seekers had been carried out upon their failure to prove their asylum claims against Sri Lanka to the British immigration authorities."

"The government of Britain has rejected their claims that their lives would be at risk in Sri Lanka," said Amunugama.

"The British government has maintained that they will be free from harm in Sri Lanka," he said.

"We are concerned about the conduct of these asylum seekers as they falsely accuse Sri Lanka of being a threat against their existence.

"The fact that they are being supported by Tamil diaspora in Britain has raised concern as there are some factions in that diaspora that have been trying to tarnish the image of Sri Lanka for their political ends," he pointed out.

According to External Affairs Ministry sources, the exodus of Tamil asylum seekers from Sri Lanka to the United Kingdom always seems to grow especially when there is a UN Human Rights session on in the foreground or in operation.

"Members of the diaspora who have a vested interest in tarnishing the country's image intensify their support to the asylum seekers at such times to nurture their political agenda," they said.

Asked about the situation of asylum seekers trying to leave for Australia in fishing boats, Amunugama said, the government of Australia has come to an understanding about this with Sri Lanka.

He said, the government of Australia recently sent a letter to them( The External Affairs Ministry) about setting up of a committee to address the problem of illegal migrants from Sri Lanka to Australia.

"They also tell falsehoods about Sri Lanka to Australian immigration authorities. And these tales too have content to tarnish the country's image," he explained.

"The External Affairs Ministry plans to discuss these matters with the Australian government very soon, he added.