Over 600 asylum seekers sent back

A group of 50 Sri Lankan men were sent from Darwin, Australia to Colombo on Friday, boosting the number of "involuntarily returned home" to 593 since August 13, when the Australian government restored offshore processing.

"The group was made up of single adult men - all recent arrivals from different boats," Australia's Immigration Minister Chris Bowen said in a statement.

"The Sri Lankans were advised of their status and that they were subject to removal from Australia. They raised no issues that engaged Australia's international obligations." Bowen said the government would continue to deport people in the same circumstances."People who pay smugglers are risking their lives and throwing their money away," he said.

"There is no visa on arrival, there is no speedy outcome and there is no special treatment." A further 107 Sri Lankans have returned home voluntarily.

- NineMSN