TRANSFER TO PNG OR RETURN TO SL

A group of 68 Sri Lankans who recently arrived at Cocos (Keeling) Islands is now on Christmas Island, about to begin enhanced screening processes and face return to Colombo or transfer to Papua New Guinea (PNG), the Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship said yesterday.

They face the same assessment process that unauthorised maritime arrivals (UMAs) of Sri Lankan background have since last year when the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) took steps to stem a

If any of the group is screened in, they will not come to Australia for assessment; they will be among the first Sri Lankan boat arrivals sent to Papua New Guinea for processing

significant upsurge in boat arrivals from Sri Lanka.

“Those who are screened out will be returned to Colombo as soon as possible, often within days,” a DIAC spokesman said today. “If any of the group is screened in, they will not come to Australia for assessment; they will be among the first Sri Lankan boat arrivals sent to Papua New Guinea for processing.

“If they are entitled to asylum, they will not be able to settle in Australia; they will be settled in PNG.”

The Sri Lankans began their enhanced screening as arrangements were finalised for the first transfer of people affected by the post-July 19 regional settlement arrangement to Manus Island in Papua New Guinea.