A group of asylum seekers have been deported from Australia to Colombo aboard a government-chartered flight on Monday, fuelling speculation that a boat was intercepted by Australian forces last week as it fled from Sri Lanka.
The Australian reports that the early morning flight saw approximately 20 people – thought to be asylum seekers – boarding the flight with guards accompanying them on to the plane.
Residents of Christmas Island reported seeing an Australian navy vessels towing a small boat to the shore last week. A spokesperson for Australia's Immigration Minister however declined to comment on whether there had been any interception of asylum seekers or not.
See more from The Australian here.