Thirty-seven asylum seekers who were deported to Sri Lanka by Australian authorities after being detained at sea have been arrested by Sri Lankan police.
Sri Lanka's police spokesperson Ajith Rohana, said the asylum seekers, which include 6 children, have been handed over on Thursday after being caught by Australia's coast guard by the Indonesian coast.
'The boat left Sri Lanka on November 1,' Rohana said.
'Investigations are being conducted by the anti-people smuggling unit of the CID (Criminal Investigation Department),' he added.
'They are being held in custody, but will be taken before a magistrate shortly.'
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