CANBERRA - A group of Sri Lankan boat people rescued from the high seas will be transferred to Christmas Island today, the federal government says.
"The group will become offshore entry people under the Migration Act and, in line with long-standing government policy, will be managed offshore and
will not be brought to the mainland," Immigration Minister Kevin Andrews and Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a joint statement.
"The Australian government is exploring a range of options for the handling of this group. Preliminary discussions have commenced with both Indonesia and Nauru."
The 85 men -- 83 Sri Lankans and two Indonesians -- were rescued by an Australian navy ship in international waters near Christmas Island on February 21 after sabotaging their fishing boat.
Mr Andrews said the men would be accommodated temporarily on Christmas Island while health checks and information gathering processes continued.
- AAP
