News
Urgent request to relocate Lankan asylum seekers from Diego Garcia amid escalating crisis
(JusticeGap) Facing an urgent and escalating threat of harm to migrant children detained on Diego Garcia, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy requested their relocation to the UK on July 16th, as reported in the Solicitors Journal. This request to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper follows a warning from the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Commissioner, who reported severe living conditions and recent suicide attempts among the detainees.
According to Foreign Secretary Lammy’s appeal, relocating 39 asylum seekers, including 16 children, to Sri Lanka is not possible due to ongoing international protection claims. These individuals are still awaiting asylum or refugee status, and their relocation would breach international law.
The situation for over 60 Sri Lankan asylum seekers, including 16 children detained for more than 1000 days, has become increasingly dire. The BIOT Commissioner highlighted the inadequate living conditions on the island, significantly impacting the detainees’ mental health. Legal representatives have called for immediate government intervention to relocate this vulnerable group to safety.
During a court hearing on Tuesday, Justice Obi reviewed submissions detailing the crisis within the detention compound. The court was informed that the BIOT Commissioner acknowledged the inability to meet the needs of the detained children, further complicating the situation.
Justice Obi has ordered the judicial review hearing to be reconvened on Diego Garcia in September. The Foreign Secretary’s request to relocate the asylum seekers to the UK underscores the urgency of the situation to prevent further harm and ensure the safety and well-being of the detainees.
Tom Short, a solicitor from the legal firm Leigh Day representing some of the claimants, noted the severity of the situation, citing significant concerns regarding the treatment of the asylum seekers. .
‘In the face of multiple suicide attempts and grave offences against children, it is incumbent on the UK Government to take decisive action to ensure our clients are relocated immediately,’ he said.
Tom Short called for immediate government action and a timely, effective resolution to the prolonged detention of the asylum seekers.
‘For years our clients?have been deprived of the most modest of freedoms and the most basic of amenities all at great cost to the UK taxpayer and it is imperative that this desperate situation is brought to an end without any further delay,’ Tom Short said.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a high-level dialogue titled “Tourism as Soft Power and Diplomatic Capital” held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin Davos, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on January 20.
The session explored how tourism functions as a strategic instrument of diplomacy by strengthening international trust, cultural exchange, and regional cooperation through mobility and people-to-people engagement. The Prime Minister shared the panel with Mr. Kuban Omiraliyev, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States and Mr. Meshari Alnahar – CEO Aseer Investment Company, Saudi Arabia.
Addressing global trends, the Prime Minister emphasized that Sri Lanka is an example of hope, recovery and resilience in a world of conflict demonstrating how tourism can play a critical role in a changing global environment particularly amid climate shocks, geopolitical instability, and uneven economic recovery. She noted that tourism is not only an economic sector but also a vital diplomatic bridge that supports livelihoods, builds relationships and connects people.
Drawing on Sri Lanka’s recent experience, she highlighted the country’s strong tourism recovery despite multiple crises, including the impact of Cyclone Ditwah. Transparent crisis management and strategic engagement with international partners helped sustain visitor confidence, resulting in record tourist arrivals even in challenging circumstances.
The Prime Minister also underscored the importance of green and climate friendly tourism infrastructure and underlined that Sri Lanka welcomes long term investment in tourism. She pointed out that tourism supports millions of jobs worldwide and that inclusive policies are essential to ensure fair opportunities, particularly for women and vulnerable communities.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
During an operation conducted in the dark hours of 20 Jan 26, the Sri Lanka Navy seized two (02) Indian fishing boats and apprehended seven (07) Indian fishermen while they were poaching in Sri Lankan waters, off Kovilan, Jaffna.
The seized boats and Indian fishermen was to be handed over to the Fisheries Inspector of Myliddy, Jaffna for onward legal proceedings.
Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya participated in a series of high-level bilateral meetings on January 20 on the sidelines of the 56th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos-Klosters, Switzerland.
The Prime Minister attended a productive bilateral meeting with Mr. Jozef Síkela, European Commissioner for International Partnerships. During the discussion, both sides focused on strengthening Sri Lanka–EU cooperation and advancing mutual interests.
Prime Minister Amarasuriya also met with Mr. Masato Kanda, President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), at the WEF Congress Centre. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss ongoing engagement and future collaboration between Sri Lanka and the ADB.
In addition, the Prime Minister held discussions with Mr. Hassan El Houry, Chairman of Menzies Aviation, where opportunities for collaboration in aviation services and connectivity were explored.
The Prime Minister also participated in a high-level dialogue at the Global Tourism Forum held at the Euronews Hub, Piz Buin, Davos, as part of the World Economic Forum engagements.
Dr. Anil Jayantha, Minister of Labour, and the Deputy Minister of Finance were also present at these meetings.
[Prime Minister’s Media Division]
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