The Australian High Commission in Colombo said that Australia and Sri Lanka will continue to work closely to stop the criminal activity of people smugglers. The High Commission said that it has cooperated closely with Sri Lankan authorities to return people who have tried to enter Australia illegally. It confirmed that a people smuggling boat carrying six Sri Lankan nationals attempting to travel illegally has recently been intercepted and the occupants have all been returned to Sri Lanka. The High Commission said that the return shows that there has not been, and will not be, any change to Australia border protection policies. Since Operation Sovereign Borders began in 2013, every Sri Lankan boat that has attempted to reach Australia illegally has failed. The High Commission said that anyone who attempts to travel illegally by boat to Australia will be turned back and will waste their time and money, and will risk their life.
