Twenty Sri Lankan asylum seekers flown back following interception by Australian authorities

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.