Brendan O'Connor, the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, reported commended the Sri Lankan Navy for their efforts in preventing those seeking asylum from fleeing from the country, according to government sources.
O’Connor is currently visiting Sri Lanka and held talks with Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, with the Sri Lankan Navy website reporting,
“The Minister conveyed his appreciation for the SLN’s efforts in countering irregular migration and commended the commitment shown by SLN personnel in rescuing of persons coerced to take on the perilous journeys”.
Australia’s policy on asylum seekers has received wide criticism, with the country having returned more than 1,000 people to the island of Sri Lanka since August last year.
See our earlier posts:
Tamil Refugee Council slams Australia’s ‘bankrupt’ asylum policy (25 April 2013)
Australia siding with genocide writes former diplomat (09 December 2012)
Asylum policies are extensions of Sri Lanka’s repression (16 January 2013)
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