Sri Lankan police have arrested 14 asylum-seekers deported by the Federal Government after they allegedly hijacked a fishing boat to get to Australia.

They were detained at Colombo's international airport as they disembarked from a plane chartered by the Federal Government.

A Sri Lankan official says they face a range of charges including attempted murder, abduction and theft.

Australian authorities intercepted 15 Sri Lankans on the fishing boat north-west of the Cocos Islands on Thursday.

Sri Lanka sought help from Interpol to track down the trawler after it was apparently stolen by its own crew in a bid to illegally transport asylum-seekers to Australia.

Last week, Sri Lanka's ambassador to Australia, Thisara Samarasinghe, said two Sri Lankan fisherman were pulled from the water after allegedly being hijacked.

They said their fishing boat was stolen and the crew was pushed overboard.

A magistrate issued arrest warrants against the skipper and 13 others, who staged the alleged hijacking to try to cover up the boat's theft and use it for people-smuggling.

Immigration Minister Chris Bowen told a press conference yesterday that none of the men made claims for asylum after the boat was intercepted by Border Patrol on Thursday.

"Some of these people face serious charges in Sri Lanka," he said.

"The Government took the view it's appropriate that they face those charges and that the removal occur as soon as possible.

"They made no claims for protection nor raised any issues that engaged Australia's international obligations."

Mr Bowen says a plane left the Cocos Islands bound for Sri Lanka at 1:00pm on Saturday, with 14 of the men on board.

"The vessel was intercepted on Thursday night and they left Australia earlier today after discussions between the Australian Government and the Sri Lankan government," he said.

One passenger who arrived on board the boat remains in Australia, but Mr Bowen says the Government will seek his removal over the coming days.

"We're making further inquiries in relation to his status. We will be progressing potentially his removal in the coming period," he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Bowen also announced seven Sri Lankans being held in Perth have elected to return to Sri Lanka.

"Seven Sri Lankans left Perth bound for Sri Lanka. Again, these are people who've been lied to by people smugglers," he said.

"Again, these are people who've taken the view that it is now best to return to Sri Lanka rather than deal with the arrangements that the Australian Government has put in place."

ABC/AFP