Why there is a wave of desperate Sri Lankan asylum seekers

Words: Amanda Hodge Producer: Bianca Farmakis

The Sri Lankan navy has revealed it is now regularly intercepting boats trying to leave the country. People-smugglers dupe desperate people into believing they will be allowed into ­Australia, despite warnings they will be sent back. Refugees are fleeing the country amid an economic crisis, sparking desperation for basic living necessities.

A leading human rights lawyer has also said Australia should expect many more boat arrivals in the next few months driven by the ­collapse in Sri Lanka’s economy, which has caused a shift in public attitudes towards those who seek asylum abroad.

It used to be that Sri Lankans who tried to get to Australia were looked upon as traitors tarnishing the image of the country, but with the current situation it’s not seen as shameful anymore. Today, everybody is saying ‘You must allow us to go to Australia’.

Lakshan Dias Human rights lawyer “

Sri Lanka is suffering an unprecedented economic emergency as a result of government mismanagement and the pandemic, leaving it unable to service billions in debt or pay for critical imports of fuel, medicines and ­staple foods. The dire conditions may last for months. The emergency in Sri Lanka The emergency in Sri Lanka

In May, 76 asylum-seekers ­were deported from Australia. Another 15 men were deported from Christmas Island in June. A third boat left Sri Lanka in late May with at least 42 people. Pictured: Emmanuel Steven - owner of the boat which attempted to carry immigrants to Australia.

Refugees are prepared to ignore years of consistent Canberra messaging that asylum-seekers who try to reach Australia by boat will be sent home. Pictured: Sri Lankan Minister for Mass Media, Nalaka Godahewa saying people should have seen the cost of living crisis coming

An ungoverned situation

Of the 10 deportees who ­received bail in June, several said the Australian government should not have returned them to a country that could offer them no jobs, or even guarantee three meals a day. Refugees have questioned whether either nation's politicians have a plan for their future.

As the flow of boats from Sri Lanka picks up, an interpreter and other Operation Sovereign Borders workers were scheduled to arrive on Cocos Islands on an urgent government charter, after locals saw telltale signs of a burning asylum boat on the horizon. Urgent response Urgent response

It has been standard practice for Australia to burn asylum boats once the passengers are safely onboard the government vessel that intercepted them.

Everybody knows you will be returned if you go by sea but the population is being fooled by the smugglers. That’s why we are seeing so many boats. These smugglers are misleading the people who want to go for a better life.

Indika de Silva Sri Lankan navy spokesman “