Australia says 4 boats from Sri Lanka were intercepted in June
Four people-smuggling boats from Sri Lanka were intercepted in Australian waters in June with 125 passengers and crew, Australia’s Border Force said.
Australia’s Border Force said that from 01 June 2022 to 30 June 2022 Australian authorities intercepted four maritime people smuggling ventures from Sri Lanka.
A total of 125 Sri Lankan nationals who were on board were safely returned to Sri Lanka in close cooperation with the Sri Lankan Government, the Australia’s Border Force said in a monthly update.
During this reporting period no Unauthorised Maritime Arrivals (UMAs) were transferred from Australia to a regional processing country, either as new arrivals or returning after temporary purpose in Australia.
Australia’s Border Force also said that no UMAs voluntarily returned to their country of origin from a regional processing country, there were no UMAs transferred from a regional processing country to Australia for medical purposes or were an accompanying family member, and some UMAs were removed voluntarily to their country of origin from Australia and no UMAs were involuntarily removed from Australia to their country of origin.
Australia’s association with regional processing arrangements in PNG concluded on 31 December 2021, with management of the residual caseload in PNG transitioning to the full and independent responsibility of the PNG Government, effective 1 January 2022. Australia now supports regional processing arrangements in Nauru only. (Colombo Gazette)