Lankans using civil war as excuse to seek asylum: Envoy
8 Nov 2009, 1525 Hrs

Add comment          Mail          Print          Write to Editor

Canberra (Australia), Nov.8 Sri Lankans are using the civil war as an excuse to seek asylum abroad, the country's high commissioner to Australia has claimed.

Senaka Walgampaya said many Sri Lankan asylum seekers were actually "economic refugees" wanting a better life in Australia.

"As far as we can see, all the people who are seeking asylum in Australia are seeking to come here for a better life," he told Channel 10.

"Also, most of them have their friends and relatives here ... they are coming here to join up with them," he added.

"They are making use of the post-conflict situation in Sri Lanka to make that excuse to seek asylum in Australia," he said.

Walgampaya's comments come as the stalemate aboard an Australian customs ship holding 78 asylum seekers off Indonesia continues.

Australia has been trying for two weeks to persuade the group of ethnic Tamils to voluntarily disembark the Oceanic Viking and enter the Tanjung Pinang Detention Centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan.

But the group has refused, adamant they want to be taken to Australia even though they were rescued in international waters within Indonesia's search and rescue zone.

Walgampaya said: "Sri Lanka suspects a lot of these people are fugitives from justice, so in that event they have to be brought to justice."

"But if they've not committed any offence and they are perfectly innocent people, well then there is no problem - Sri Lanka will take them back and they can enter civilian life," he added. (ANI)

Related Latest

FIH ties up with SAIL as World Cup sponsor Two killed as police open fire at tribal mob in Orissa Coimbatore farmer gets high yield of tomatoes, using green house technology Tell Pakistan not to use terror as state policy: Manmohan Singh to US Manmohan to seek Obama pressure over Pakistan 2 killed as police fire at mob in Orissa Eight killed as strong winds lash snow-bound Rohtang Pass 25 hurt as Shiv Sena attacks IBN Mumbai office Ahmedabad Test ends in a draw as Sachin crosses another milestone Palin opposes Obama's freeze settlements demands as all Jews need place to live

Related Latest

Gas explosion traps 139 coal miners in north-east China Top global jazz musicians to play in capital Green lifestyle statement: Bangalore kids cycle to school Mumbai remains extremely vulnerable: Shobhaa De (One Year After 26/11) A show that will go into people's past lives Now terrorists emerge from educated households: Om Puri US health reforms face biggest test yet in Senate Fire destroys 106 homes in Ecuador Honduras' Micheletti's temporary step down a 'positive step': US Lopez, Anthony sued over dog's behaviour

• Gas explosion traps 139 coal miners in north-east China
• Top global jazz musicians to play in capital
• Green lifestyle statement: Bangalore kids cycle to school
• Mumbai remains extremely vulnerable: Shobhaa De (One Year After 26/11)
• A show that will go into people's past lives

• भारतीय क्रिकेट की मजबूत दीवार
• कंगारूओं के आगे ढेर, चीतों से कैसे मुकाबला करेंगें शेर
• Reducing greenhouse gases may not be enough to slow global warming
• बीकानेर महापौर चुनावः एक विश्लेषण
• Deepawali: The Festival Of Lights