Australia’s Immigration and Border Protection Minister Scott Morrison will arrive in Sri Lanka on Wednesday (July 9) for a two-day visit, amidst the controversy over two boats carrying Tamil asylum seekers.

The Immigration Minister will hold discussions with Sri Lankan defence authorities including the navy, the External Affairs Ministry told Ada Derana.

Mr Morrison will attend a commissioning ceremony for the two former Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Bay Class patrol vessels gifted to the Sri Lankan Navy.

He is also expected to discuss the issue pertaining to the fate of over 200 Sri Lankan asylum seekers who were reportedly intercepted at sea to the north-west of Australia.

The Australian government had refused to comment on the 2 boats carrying the asylum seekers which were reportedly stopped by Australian authorities in the Indian Ocean and some passengers handed over to the Sri Lankan navy.

Refugee campaigners say it is a violation of international law.

The Australian government has made no comment for what it says are “operational reasons” and will neither confirm nor deny the existence of the two boats carrying Sri Lankan asylum seekers.

But Australian media say that some have already had their refugee claims rejected and have been transferred to the Sri Lankan navy.

Australia has been taking a tough approach on asylum seekers who try to reach the country by perilous sea journeys.

The ABC reported that the boat left the Indian territory of Pondicherry last month with about 150 Tamils on board, but there has been no contact with refugee groups since the weekend.

Mr Morrison has refused to confirm the existence of the boat and would not address questions about whether the asylum seekers would be handed over to Sri Lankan authorities.