http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Significant_reduction_in_Sri_Lankan_illegal_immigrants_to_Australia_20130403_05

Significant reduction in Sri Lankan illegal immigrants to Australia.

The Australian Emigration Authorities said that there is a significant decrease in the number of illegal immigrants arriving in the Australian shores from Sri Lanka although there is an increase from some other countries.

They said that Vietnamese and Burmese people are making the perilous sea journey to Australia than ever before. Elaborating further they said that nearly 250 people have arrived from Bangladesh this year and it is the first time that Bangladesh has appeared in official statistics.

They said that Iranians become the main group of asylum seeker arrivals and the large numbers of Sri Lankans seen last year has significantly reduced this year.

Australian Emigration Authority records show that 1079 Iranians made the trip to Australia by boat so far this year.

The number of Sri Lankans attempted to enter Australia last year amounted to 6428 people, but this year up to now only 95 arrivals have been recorded. The Australian authorities said that increased sea patrols by Sri Lankans authorities, as well as Australia's policy to return Sri Lankans who arrive by boat, have made a significant impact on the illegal arrivals.

Courtesy : Department of Government Information