Oct 27, Colombo: Sri Lanka police arrested the 14 asylum seekers deported by Australia Saturday when they disembarked at the Katunayake International Airport from a special charter flight from Australia.

The Australian authorities detained 15 asylum seekers, who pirated a fishing trawler in the mid sea off the island's southern coast on October 13 after assaulting its occupants and left them to die in the sea and sailed to Australia.

An Australian Customs Vessel, operating under the control of Border Protection Command has intercepted the pirated trawler named Thejan with the 15 people onboard north-west of the Cocos Islands late Thursday night.

Two fishermen seriously injured during the attack by the asylum seekers were rescued by two merchant vessels in mid sea and handed over to the Sri Lankan Navy.

It has been reported that part of the crew of the trawler and the skipper are among the suspects of the attack.

Sri Lankan authorities charging the 15 asylum seekers with attempted murder and robbery issued warrants for their arrest and sought Interpol assistance to find the suspects. They also alerted the Australian authorities to expect the stolen ship reaching their shores.

Australian authorities deported all but one asylum seeker who will later be assessed for his removal.

Australian media reported that one of the asylum seekers had earlier entered Australia illegally but volunteered to return to Sri Lanka in September on the promise of the $3300 government resettlement package.

According to a Sri Lankan official, the 14 suspects will face several charges including attempted murder, abduction and theft.