More Sri Lankans opt to leave Nauru

Tuesday, 1 January 2013 00:21 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Another 30 Sri Lankans have decided to return home rather than remain on Nauru. They have joined four of their countrymen who made the return trip home last week instead of heading to the Pacific island for the processing of their claims.

“They chose not to pursue their asylum claims and no longer seek to engage Australian protection obligations,” said a spokesman for the Department of Immigration and Citizenship. ”This is further proof that there is no advantage engaging with people smugglers.” Nine Sri Lankan men left Nauru early on Sunday morning, travelling on a charter flight from Perth with 21 of their countrymen who were detained in Western Australia. A total of 883 Sri Lankans have returned home voluntarily and involuntarily since 13 August, when the government announced asylum seekers would be liable for transfer to regional processing facilities.