Sri Lankan cricketers Lasith Malinga and Muttiah Muralitharan will front an Australian Government campaign to discourage asylum seekers from taking boat journeys to Australia.

The ‘Don’t be sorry’ campaign will target ethnic communities in Australia who often encourage other family members to use people smugglers to help them reach Australia, News.com.au reports.

The campaign will air on radio, TV, and online and ethnic community newspapers in six languages, according to Immigration and Citizenship Minister Brendan O’Connor.

O’Connor said the government wanted people to tell their friends and family about the risks involved in trying to reach Australia by boat, adding the lawful way is the right way and the safest way into Australia.

Malinga and Muralitharan, who recently played in the Big Bash League, agreed to help because of concerns for their countrymen.

Malinga said in his message if people want to consider travelling to Australia, their message is do it the right way, adding don’t be sorry you didn’t tell you friends and family to do it the right way.

Muralitharan added in recent years, hundreds of people have lost their lives making the journey to Australia by sea, adding if you want to travel, do it the right way, the safe way, and don’t be sorry.

News of the new campaign comes as asylum seekers continue to take the dangerous boat journey to Australia, despite the new no-advantage rule and the reintroduction of offshore processing. (ANI)