SYDNEY — A group of Sri Lankan asylum seekers that has been languishing on board an Australian customs vessel for weeks will temporarily be taken to Australia’s mainland and may be sent to India, Australia’s government said Friday.
Two boats of Sri Lankans were intercepted by Australia’s border patrol in the Indian Ocean in late June. Australia handed over the passengers from the first boat to the Sri Lankan government after their refugee claims were assessed at sea and rejected, sparking protests in Australia by human-rights advocates who said the Sri Lankans could face persecution back home.
The asylum seekers will be held in Australia where Indian consular officials will interview them about their possible return to India, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison said Friday. India has agreed to take back any of its citizens that might be on board.
He said the government hadn’t decided what will happen to those asylum seekers who are neither Indian citizens nor residents. None of those on board will be resettled in Australia, he said.-