Boatpeople refusing to leave Sri Lanka
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| Sri Lanka's Navy rescue 32 Rohingya whose damaged wooden vessel was sinking in deep seas 250 nautical miles east of the island on February 16, 2013. (Photo: Sri Lankan Navy) |
Mizzima News
February 20, 2013
Sri Lankan media is reporting on Wednesday that the 32 Myanmar nationals rescued by the Sri Lankan navy on Saturday are refusing to return to their home country.
According to Colombo Page, the 32, reportedly Muslim Rohingyas from Rakhine State, say they left Myanmar because of persecution.
Sri Lankan authorities have reportedly detained 17 of the 32 to hand over to Myanmar authorities while the others are held in a detention center for immigration offenders.
“Sources say that Sri Lanka has no intention to bring charges against them under immigration regulations,” Colombo Pagereported.
