Uncertainty over origin of asylum boat with 200 on board

Uncertainty prevails as to the country from where the boat that capsized, while transporting 200 asylum seekers had begun its voyage, External Affairs Ministry said yesterday.

It said the Australian and Indonesian authorities were in- tensifying their investigations.

Ministry officials confirmed there were no Sri Lankans amongst the 110 asylum seekers who were rescued though some 90 people are still unaccounted for.

Officials confirmed no Sri Lankan’s were among the 110 asylum seekers who were rescued but some 90 people were still unaccounted for

Our High Commission in Canberra is liaising with the Australian Maritime Safety Authority verifying details of those rescued and those still missing.

External Affairs Ministry Public Communications Director Sarath Dissanayake said the search and rescue operations were continuing.

Australian media reported that four Indonesian and Australian warships, four merchant ships and five Australian aircraft have joined in the search amid gale force winds and stormy seas.

An Australian navy patrol boat and

Australian media reported that four Indonesian and Australian warships, four merchant ships and five Australian aircraft have joined in the search amid gale force winds

three cargo ships had rescued the 110 survivors — including a 13-year-old boy Thursday and delivered them to Christmas Island. Three bodies were also recovered.

Meanwhile statements given by Australian and Indonesian Officials have shown a clear discrepancy in the rescue efforts and the sequence of events that took place after the distress call was given.

Australian politicians are shifting blame on the government for failing to reach an agreement on offshore refugee processing. Australian Media reported that Independent MP Tony Windsor had said asylum seekers were ‘‘dying because pragmatism is overriding a compromise that would reduce the number of people getting on boats in the first place.”