Seven Lankan detainees return from Australia

Another group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers decided to return home rather than have their claims processed in offshore detention centres of Australia.

The group of seven men brought to 942 the number of Sri Lankan asylum seekers who returned home since August 13 - 729 involuntarily and 213 voluntarily - when the federal government announced it was reopening offshore processing on Nauru and Manus Islands. An Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship spokesman said the seven men traveled to Colombo from Perth following their transfer from mainland detention sites.

“These men departed voluntarily,” the spokesman said. “They chose not to pursue their asylum claims and seek Australia’s protection obligations. This is further proof that there is no advantage engaging with people smugglers.”

The spokesman said while further transfers to Nauru would occur in the coming weeks, it was also expected more people would choose to return to their home country voluntarily.

People in a regional processing centre or immigration detention facility can request their removal from Australia at any time.

Courtesy: Caboolture News