Asylum seekers returned to Sri Lanka

Border authorities have intercepted a boat with six Sri Lankans on board and sent them back to their home country.

Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Peter Dutton Source: AAP

Australian authorities have sent six Sri Lankans back home after intercepting their boat on its way down under.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton said Australian officials found the boat after Sri Lanka passed on intelligence about the people-smuggling venture.

"This return shows that there has not been, and will not be, any change to Australia's robust border protection policies," he said in a statement on Wednesday.