Tamils cautiously welcome asylum changes

Australian Tamil groups have welcomed the government's decision to lift a freeze on processing Sri Lankan asylum claims, but say the situation in the country has not markedly improved.

As part of a host of policy announcements on the asylum issue made today, Prime Minister Julia Gillard slated Sri Lankan asylum claims would be judged on an individual case by case basis. This comes as a blanket freeze on claimants from this country is due to expire.

The freeze on claims by Afghan asylum seekers will remain in place, however, while the government reviews its policies.

Perambalan Senthooran fom the Australian Tamil Congress says the policy shift would come as a

relief for around 700 Sri Lankan asylum seekers waiting to be processed by Australian authorities.

"I know they have been under a lot of stress, depression, suicidal tendencies, and they were very fearful that they would be sent back home," Mr Senthooran tells AAP.

"Now at least they will receive a fair process and that's all they were after.

"They were fleeing from really horrendous conditions."

Palaniappan Kumarasamy from the Australia Tamil Association says all asylum seekers should be encouraged to enter Australia through the proper channels.

"All the people should not be encouraged to seek asylum here in Australia," Mr Kumarasamy tells SBS.

"[But] there must be some policy for those who are in danger, and who led the freedom struggle to apply to the government and there must some processing to understand if it is a genuine case or not."

Mr Kumarasamy says many Tamils are still disadvantaged in Sri Lanka, despite the end of a 25-year civil war between the government and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam - or Tamil Tigers.

"We have not seen... a policy for Sri Lankan Tamils in Sri Lanka to have an equal opportunity in employment, in education, in every aspect of their life, so what does it mean when they say the situation for Tamils in Sri Lanka has improved," he asks.