Immigration chief awaits stay order on asylum seekers deportation
A decision on whether to suspend the deportation of Pakistani and Afghan asylum seekers from Sri Lanka will be taken next week once an official copy of the Court of Appeal order staying the deportations is received by the Controller of Immigration and Emigration.
Chulananda Perera, Controller Immigration and Emigration said that he is yet to receive the Court order made on Friday.
The Court directed the Registrar to communicate the interim order via facsimile particularly to Mr. Perera.
The order was issued by Justice A.W.A. Salam taking into consideration a petition filed by Mrs. Aneela Imran of 191/1 Dehimalwatta Road, Negombo.
The Court of Appeal issued an interim order on Friday suspending the decision of the Minister of Defence to deport asylum seekers or refugees in Sri Lanka back to their countries as they have been regis- tered with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) in Sri Lanka.
The interim order came amidst growing criticism of the Government’s decision to deport hundreds of refugees from Pakistan staying in Sri Lanka.
The Court also issued notice on the eight respondents cited in the petition returnable on August 29.
The first respondent in the case is Chu- lananda Perera, Controller Immigration and Emigration Department while the others are the Minister of External Affairs, Secretary to the Ministry of External Affairs, Secretary, the Human Rights Commission, the Ministry of Defence, Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, the Inspector General of Police and the Attorney General.
Counsel Lakshan Dias appearing for the petitioner told Court that the father, brother and husband of the petitioner have been detained at the Boossa detension centre.
He said that Mrs. Aneela Imran, a Pakistan national, wanted to stop the deportations as they feared persecution once they returned to their country.
At least 120 Pakistani and Afghan nationals have been removed so far with another 75 in detention at Boossa camp pending removal.