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Aussie authorities remain mum over boats carrying Lankans heading their way
View(s):Australian Custom and Border Protection Authorities are silent over the fate of two boats which were reported to be approaching Australian waters carrying asylum seekers including Sri Lankans.
The Sri Lankan High Commission in Australia has not been officially informed of the situation either, an official at the High Commission said.
Navy spokesperson Commodore Kosala Warnakulasooriya also denied any knowledge of the two boats.
According to the Australian Customs and Border Protection spokesperson, “in accordance with the policy established by the Operation Sovereign Borders Joint Agency Task Force commander, the Government does not comment on speculation or reporting regarding on water operations” and will not depart from the practice.
According to Australian media reports, a boat carrying asylum seekers, including 153 Tamil Sri Lankans near Christmas Island made contact with Australian civilians. Over five days have passed since communications were last made, it is reported. A second boat carrying an unspecified number of Sri Lankan asylum seekers was reported to have been detected near Cocos Island.
Meanwhile, Australian Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison, will be arriving in Sri Lanka on July 9 for an official visit. The Sunday Times learns that Mr. Morrison will commission the second surveillance boat gifted to Sri Lanka by Australia during his visit.