Australia turfs out 20 Lankan asylum seekers to Christmas Island

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Australia has boarded 20 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, who were detained on Sunday for attempting to illegally reach Australia in a vessel, to send them off to Christmas Island.

An Australian government charter plane carrying failed asylum seekers had left Christmas Island for Colombo, just days after their vessel was intercepted in the Indian Ocean, ‘The Australian’ reported.

The long-range jet had taken off from Christmas Island early this morning (23) to return the detained asylum seekers to Sri Lanka, ‘The Australian’ further said.

According to reports, Australian Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton has not commented on the departure of the asylum seekers, however, his spokeswoman has stated that the Australian government would send back the detained illegal arrivals. (Australian Media Reports)