Tamil Sydney - Sri Lankan soldiers kill a young asylum seeker fleeing to Australia

Sri Lankan soldiers kill a young asylum seeker fleeing to Australia

Sri Lankan soldiers shooting at a group of people planning to flee to Australia killed a young man on Saturday on an eastern beach, the military said.Military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said the army did not kill the man intentionally, but he was shot while allegedly trying to grab a weapon from a soldier.Christian Sulojini said her 22-year-old son was among a group of about 30 people planning to take a voyage from a beach in eastern Santhiveli village when the army intercepted them early on Saturday.

She said soldiers opened fire when the group tried to flee.Hundreds of Sri Lankans leave by boat each year looking for jobs in more prosperous countries. More than 250 Sri Lankans are being held in Indonesia after being intercepted in recent months trying to get to Australia.

Last month, the navy discovered four fishing boats carrying 100 asylum seekers off the southern coast.

Source : http://www.smh.com.au/world/sri-lankan-soldiers-kill-asylum-seeker-20091205-kc6k.html

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