http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20110523_01

Beware of human smugglers, Navy warns public
The Sri Lanka Navy yesterday warned the public to beware of human traffickers who promised to facilitate illegal entry into Australia.
According to Navy Spokesman, Commander Kosala Warnakulasooriya, "any attempt by human traffickers to smuggle people into Australia will make them end up in Malaysia under the Cooperative Transfer Arrangement signed by the governments of Australia and Malaysia."
He said "any person who tried to enter Australia illegally by sea would be transferred to Malaysia and will have to undergo investigations."
He went on to say that those who tried to enter Australia illegally would not be given priority in considering their suitability or the lack of it for refugee status. The Australian government recently announced this new arrangement as part of a Regional Cooperation Framework that will help put the people smugglers out of business and prevent asylum seekers making perilous journeys to Australia by boats.
The Australian High Commission in a media release said that the Government of Australia had worked closely with the neighbouring countries including Sri Lanka to deliver an agreement for a Regional Cooperation Framework through the recent Bali Process Ministerial Conference attended by Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem. The High Commission said Australia was also engaged in ongoing talks with Papua New Guinea about the establishment of a refugee assessment centre as part of this framework.