Twenty Sri Lankan asylum seekers have been flown back to Sri Lanka after their boat was intercepted en route to Australia, it has been reported.
The vessel, which was carrying at least one baby, was spotted last week in the Indian Ocean heading for the north west coast, Perth Now reported.
A spokesperson for the Department of Home Affairs confirmed the arrival.
"We can confirm Australian authorities recently intercepted an attempted illegal people smuggling venture from Sri Lanka," the spokesperson said.
"Twenty people aboard the vessel have been returned to Sri Lanka after attempting the dangerous and illegal voyage. "
The asylum seekers were detained for a few days on Christmas Island before being flown to Colombo on a government charter jet on Wednesday after their asylum claims were rejected.
The boat had left Sri Lanka in the first week of May, not long after the deadly Easter bombing attacks on hotels and churches.
So far 186 asylum seekers have been sent back to Sri Lanka since the Coalition won government in 2013, according to The Australian.
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem had been arrested by Kalpitiya police after he surrendered to the police today morning.
Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been sent on compulsory leave pending disciplinary investigation over his failure to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings.
The 22nd amendment to the constitution dealing with the term of the President has been gazetted by order of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Auspicious times widely followed by candidates keeping with traditions will be taken into consideration by the Election Commission in fixing the date and time for the conduct on the Presidential polls.
The Secretary of the Justice Ministry has been instructed by Justice Minister Wijeyadasa Rajapakshe not to gazette the proposed 22nd Amendment to the Constitution dealing with the Presidential term, until the Presidential elections are held.
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