Sri Lankan police have arrested a group of 13 asylum seekers who were attempting to flee to Australia, including those from the North-East of the island, in a raid reported ColomboPage.
The group, which included people from Jaffna, Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi and Vavuniya, had each paid a smuggler in Jaffna Rs. 10,000, in order to make the perilous journey over to Australia. The police, acting after receiving a tip-off, have held all of them in custody.
The arrests come just days after Australia gifted the Sri Lankan Navy a second patrol boat, in much criticised move to combat increasing numbers of attempted asylum seekers fleeing the island in boats to Australia. The dangerous journey, often undertaken in dilapidated boats, has seen hundreds die, with the Australian Immigration Minister stating that on arrival, they will be turned back.
See our earlier posts: Australian minister denies asylum policy implication in suicide (03 June 2014)