The Sri Lankan coastguard intercepted a boat carrying 30 Rohingya refugees and two Indian nationals on April 30, according to a spokesperson for the Sri Lankan navy.
Among the Rohingya refugees stopped were 16 children all below the age of nine, according to Lieutenant Commander Chaminda Walakuluge, the Navy spokesperson. One of the children is just 15-days-old and another is four-months-old.
The refugees had been living in India for the past four years.
Lt Cdr Chaminda Walakuluge said the Rohingya refugees were provided first aid as soon as they arrived on shore.
"It was revealed during the preliminary investigation that these Myanmar nationals are Rohingya refugees. They sought asylum in India due to ethnic conflicts that have prevailed in their country,” he said.
“They were granted refugee status in India four years ago and [their status] was due to expire in June this year,” he said.
A human rights official told Reuters that the six families were trying to get to Australia.
The boat was operated by two Indian men. It entered Sri Lankan waters after crossing the sea border, and the coast guard informed the navy about the illegal boat around 10am on April 30.
The refugees and the boat were handed over to the police soon after they were brought to the port.
Police took the refugees to Mallakam Magistrate Courts on April 30. On May 2 they are expected to appear before the Jaffna Magistrate.
Edited by Laignee Barron
