At least 60 Pakistani asylum seekers have been released from detention in Boosa camp, and may now face deportation, reports the Press Trust of India.
The asylum seekers have been released to temporary accommodation, with a Sri Lankan court ruling on Monday lifting the ban on the deportation of asylum seekers from Pakistan.
The ban was lifted after Sri Lanka’s Deputy Solicitor General warned the refugees were a threat to national security and were at risk of bringing malaria into the island.
The United Nations Refugee agency has accused Sri Lanka of violating international law by forcibly deporting asylum seekers who may face persecution on their return.
See more in our earlier posts:
Sri Lankan court allows deportation of Pakistani asylum seekers (02 September 2014)
Sri Lanka opens new detention centres for foreign asylum seekers (30 Aug 2014)
UNHCR accuses Sri Lanka of violating international law (13 August 2014)
Sri Lanka rejects UN Refugee Agency criticism (15 August 2014)
UNHCR “deeply concerned” at Sri Lanka’s deportation of Pakistani refugees (06 August 2014)