41 Sri Lankans who were arrested by the Australia’s security forces and kept in Christmas Island while trying to enter Australia illegally, were deported from the country and sent to Katunayake Airport by a special plane yesterday (09) morning.
They started their journey from Australia’s Christmas Island on ASY-013 flight belonging to Australia and arrived at Katunayake Airport at 09.40 in the morning.
Most of them are residents of Jaffna and Valachchena areas, and it has been discovered that they have crossed the sea to Australia by multi-day fishing boats.
Three senior officials from the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka had also arrived at Katunayake Airport to receive this group.
Along with the deported Sri Lankans, a large number of Australian security personnel had also arrived at Katunayake Airport by the same flight.
At the Katunayake airport, the Australian High Commission officials and the country’s security officials have handed over the group to the immigration department officials.
After that, the National Intelligence Information Division will also hand over the group to the Katunayake Airport Criminal Investigation Department officials.
There they will be presented to the Negombo Magistrate’s Court after recording the statements of this group.