New Zealand has refused entry to a boat load of Sri Lankan asylum seekers, saying it would only open the door to "millions of others" and reward people smugglers. Sri Lankan boats sit anchored at the fishing harbour of Negombo in where many have used similar craft to leave the island illegally and travel to Europe, Australia or New Zealand in search of jobs. New Zealand has refused entry to a boat load of Sri Lankan asylum seekers, saying it would only open the door to "millions of others" and reward people smugglers. A boat containing about 85 Sri Lankans who said they were heading to New Zealand was detained in Indonesian waters over the weekend.
NZ should not open the floodgate to boatpeople – Key
July 12, 2011
Letting boatpeople into New Zealand would reward people smugglers and open the floodgates to asylum seekers, Prime Minister John Key says. The comments come as the head of the Refugee Council says asylum seekers should not become a political football and New Zealand should learn from Australia's mistakes.
A boat detained in Indonesia on Saturday was carrying 88 Sri Lankan asylum seekers apparently determined to make it to New Zealand. Photographs show the refugees waving New Zealand flags and holding signs saying their future is in New Zealand.
*** Mr Key yesterday said they were not welcome, and today said that was not negotiable. ***
