Australia issues fresh warning to Lankan ‘Boat people’

‘You’ll be packed off in first available flight’:

Nipuni WIMALAPALA

Australia yesterday informed would be illegal migrants from Sri Lanka to its shores that there was no money or assistance for deportees.“There is no money or assistance for people sent home involuntarily. Lies are told and promises given of what awaits people in Australia,” Australia’s immigration regional director (South Asia) Jose Alvarez said in a warning to people smugglers “selling lies about visa opportunities in Australia.”

“Australia will not take people who do not engage its international obligations,” Alvarez said adding that those not having genuine claims for asylum will be returned back to the country of origin on the first available flight.

Speaking to the press in support of a videotaped message from Australia featuring Immigration and Citizenship Minister Chris Bowen, Alvarez said more than 257 Sri Lankan nationals have been returned, both voluntarily (87) and involuntarily (170) since mid-August which is a noticeable increase.

Warning Lankans who try to enter Australia illegally, the regional director said: “Do not waste your money and risk your life being cheated by the human smugglers, who make false promises. There is no money or assistance for the people who are sent back involuntarily.

“Do not believe in the lies and false promises given about what awaits people in Australia. Those who do not have valid visas and no claim that engages Australia’s International obligations will be swiftly returned back to Sri Lanka”.

He said the Australian government is committed to preventing people from taking dangerous boat journeys where they lose their lives. Part of that commitment includes the reinstatement of offshore processing, he said.

Alvarez said people arriving in Australian waters on boats can be transferred to either Nauru or Manus Island in Papua New Guinea where they could spend a significant amount of time.

The Australian government has taken these initiatives to stop people undertaking dangerous voyages on unseaworthy boats. The government tries to convince people that there is nothing to gain from Australia and no visa waiting for people who make illegal journeys, he said.