Australia is refusing to comment on the fate of more than 200 Tamil asylum seekers reportedly intercepted at sea to the north-west of the country.
It is believed two boats carrying the asylum seekers were stopped by Australian authorities in the Indian Ocean and that some passengers were handed over to the Sri Lankan navy.
Refugee campaigners say it is a violation of international law.
They say at least 11 of those on board had been tortured in Sri Lanka.
Australia has been taking a tough approach on asylum seekers who try to reach the country by perilous sea journeys.
Hundreds of would-be migrants have died trying to make their way to Australia by boat in recent years.
Australian media say that some have already had their refugee claims rejected and have been transferred to the Sri Lankan navy, he adds.
Forcing asylum seekers back to their country of origin without properly investigating their claims is a flagrant breach of the Refugee Convention and international law, the Refugee Council of Australia said.
Chief executive Paul Power said: “For asylum seekers, this is a matter of life and death, particularly in Sri Lanka which has a long history of political violence on a scale unimaginable to Australians.”
Ministers say, however, that Australia is upholding its international obligations.
wirestory
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