The Australian Government has revealed that 73 asylum seekers were immediately flown back to Sri Lanka following an initial assessment on Christmas Island.
The Operation Sovereign Borders weekly briefing revealed 167 asylum seekers tried to enter Australian waters on three boats in the past week.
The operational commander, Lieutenant General Angus Campbell, says these arrivals included a boat carrying 79 people from Sri Lanka which was intercepted last Saturday.
He says authorities found none of these people had reasons to seek refuge in Australia.
And that their removal would be consistent with Australia’s protection obligations.
Seventy-three of these people have been returned to Sri Lanka.
The remainder are being assessed as to their fitness to fly with a view to returning them to Sri Lanka as soon as possible.
