The British Foreign Office told the BBC that the government only sends people back to Sri Lanka when it and the courts are satisfied that an individual has no protection needs.

It cited a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights that not all Tamil asylum-seekers require protection. And it said there had been no substantiated allegations of mistreatment of those returned from the UK.

In June last year the British government sent 40 asylum seekers were home.

A UK Border Agency spokesperson said: “Returns to Sri Lanka will only be undertaken if we are satisfied that the individual has no protection needs. The improving situation in Sri Lanka has meant it is safe to remove people there.”