Sri Lanka Navy has detected a boat carrying a large number of persons off the coast of Mullaitivu today.

Navy Media Spokesman Captain Gayan Wickramasinghe told Newswire that the boat had been detected in Sri Lankan waters.

Sri Lanka Navy boats have been dispatched to inspect the boat, while the identities and origin of the people on the boat are yet to be ascertained.

Captain Gayan Wickramasinghe said investigations are currently underway by Sri Lanka Navy boats which are currently inspecting the boat to find out why it had entered Sri Lankan waters.

However, media reports state the boat was carrying 103 persons, who were refugees from Myanmar. (Newswire)

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Over 2000 Afghan migrants re-entered the nation after being expelled by Pakistan and Iran, TOLOnews reported citing the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.

As per the ministry, 260 Afghan migrants returned to Kabul from Pakistan after being expelled by the country’s police on Monday.

Meanwhile, 2,368 Afghan migrants also re-entered Afghanistan from Iran on the same day, reported Khaama Press.

The migrants returned to the country through the Torkham border crossing in Nangarhar province.

The officials claim the returnees entered Afghanistan through the Islam Qala border crossing in Herat province.

The Taliban’s Ministry of Refugees announced the repatriation of migrants from Iran at a time when the expulsion of Afghan migrants from Iran, particularly from Pakistan, has intensified in recent months.

Earlier, Amnesty International called for the immediate cancellation of the plan to expel Afghan migrants from Pakistan, stressing that this plan is contrary to international human rights laws and refugee laws.

Meanwhile, the Taliban’s acting minister of Refugees and Repatriation Affairs had urged Pakistan to resolve the Afghan migrants’ issue within the framework of bilateral understanding.

The first phase of expelling undocumented Afghan migrants from Pakistan began in November 2023.

Human rights organisations and the Taliban have criticised Pakistan’s action. However, the Pakistani government insisted that it was not directed at any one ethnic community. (ANI)

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Over 800 Afghan refugees were deported from Pakistan via the Torkham and Spin Boldak crossings, Khaama Press reported on Sunday.

As per a Khaama Press report, a total of 837 Afghan refugees were forced to return to Afghanistan over the past 48 hours, confirmed by officials on Saturday.

Of these, 90 families, or 468 people, returned over the Torkham crossing, according to the Taliban-led Ministry of Refugees and Repatriation.

In a similar manner, 369 people, or 67 families, crossed the Spin Boldak crossing to return, Khaama Press reported.

The situation for Afghan refugees in the nation is still terrible, nevertheless, in spite of these efforts.

Numerous people continue to struggle with issues including lack of a roof over their head, restricted access to necessary services like healthcare and education, and susceptibility to prejudice and exploitation.

Additionally, the recent launch of the Pakistani government’s second phase of deporting illegal refugees has added to the plight of Afghan refugees, exacerbating their already precarious situation and heightening concerns about their well-being and safety. (Khaleej Times)

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The International Rescue Committee, Danish Refugee Council, Norwegian Refugee Council, Islamic Relief Worldwide, CARE, Intersos, and some other organisations have highlighted the urgent situation of 5,00,000 individuals who have returned to Afghanistan and are facing critical needs for food, shelter, and employment during the winter, TOLO News reported.

In response, these organisations are urging the international community to enhance support for the families returning to Afghanistan.

“Since the economic situation of Afghanistan is unfortunately dire and a large number of Afghan immigrants enter the country in the winter season, the aid of the international community must be focused on the people of Afghanistan,” TOLO News quoted Abdul Zahur Mudabir, an economist, as saying.

Meanwhile, certain repatriated immigrants have conveyed that they find themselves in challenging circumstances and are calling for increased attention from the interim government.

“They have helped us in Torkham with 10,000 Afghanis, and my family is huge, and the money will not even cover my expenses for a week,” said Mohammad Nayeem, a refugee.

“We request that the Islamic Emirate provide job opportunities for Afghan youth so that they do not travel to other countries because it is very controversial,” said Dawood, a refugee.

The Ministry of Economy has committed to offering essential aid to recently repatriated immigrants.

“The Islamic Emirate has organised various committees for our refugees in the areas of health, shelter, accommodation, and job creation, and we call on international aid organisations to help us in this regard,” said Abdul Latif Nazari, deputy of the Economy Ministry.

Earlier, some aid agencies expressed concern about the dire situation of Afghan immigrants in the country. Aid agencies have underscored that the deportees need increasing assistance, TOLO News reported. (ANI)

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The Q- Branch – Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Tamil Nadu Police in India on Tuesday busted an alleged attempt by six Sri Lankan refugees from various camps in the State, to flee to New Zealand.

According to The Hindu, the police stated Kenujan, 34, from the Kulathuvaipatti camp in Thoothukudi district, Jeniffer Raj, 23, Dinesh, 18 and Bhuvaneshwari, 40, all from the Kelavarapalli camp near Hosur in Krishnagiri district, Sathishwaran, 32, from the Gudimallur camp in Vellore district along with Dushyanthan, 36, who had entered India illegally, allegedly made an attempt to leave India for New Zealand.

The police said they suspect the attempt was spearheaded by Dushyanthan and Bhuvaneshwari, who promised four others a way out of India to New Zealand, by boat. The refugees had planned to purchase a boat from a boat owner in Poompuhar, in Mayiladuthurai district.

Dushyanthan had approached the boat owner by pretending to be a fisherman, and had arrived at a deal with him to purchase a boat for INR 36 lakh. He had paid an advance of INR 11 lakh in cash. All six of the refugees then came to Velankanni three days ago, and stayed at a lodge. Based on specific intelligence, the Q-Branch CID police and the Velankanni police conducted a raid at the lodge and arrested all six during the late hours of Tuesday.

The police also seized nearly INR 16,92,951 in cash from them. Police said they suspect that a few more persons were also involved in the attempt. A case will be registered against them after a thorough investigation, said the police. (NewsWire)

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