'Why did the Australian government refuse to listen to us?'

By Jason Koutsoukis
Updated January 31 2015 - 2:13am, first published January 30 2015 - 6:46pm
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka.


 Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka. Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka.


 Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka. Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka.


 Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka. Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Mr Kuruppu (seen here in purple shirt) with his family and the families of Janaka Athukorala (in background with beard) and Sujeewa Saparamadu (second from right). Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka.


 Photo: Jason Koutsoukis
Hemantha Kuruppu, 41, in Kathmandu, Nepal, where he has been granted refugee status by the United Nations. Last year he was refused entry to Australia and repatriated to Sri Lanka. Photo: Jason Koutsoukis

Kathmandu: Nine Sri Lankans repatriated by Australian authorities last year after their boat was intercepted off Christmas Island have been recognised as refugees by the United Nations in Nepal.

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