The United Nations alarmed over the separation of a Tamil asylum seeker from his family in Australia

The United Nations says it's alarmed by a decision by the Australian government to indefinitely separate the family of a recognized refugee.

Thileepan Gnaneswaran, right, was due to be deported on Monday. Inset: His wife Karthika. Source: SBS News / Tamil Refugee Council Facebook

Thirty-year old Tamil asylum seeker Thileepan Gnaneswaran was deported on Tuesday night, leaving behind his Sri Lankan wife and 11-month-old daughter, who have both been granted asylum in Australia.

U-N-H-C-R spokesperson [[mr]] Andrej Mahecic is urging the federal government to allow families to stay together.