Mano Yogalingam: Tamil asylum seeker dies after setting himself alight in protest at federal government’s refugee policy
A Tamil asylum seeker has died in horrific circumstances after he doused himself with petrol and set himself on fire during a protest against the federal government’s refugee policy.
Mano Yogalingam, 23, suffered burns to 80 percent of his body in Melbourne’s Dandenong area on Tuesday night and was rushed to The Alfred Hospital. He died hours later on Wednesday.
According to the Tamil Refugee Council, Mr Yogalingam’s death “underscored the devastating impact of the government’s refugee policy under the newly appointed Home Secretary, Tony Burke.
Spokesman Rathy Barthlote was with him when he died.
“Mano was only 23 years old and had his whole life ahead of him,” she said.
‘But the psychological torment inflicted on him by the Australian government’s cruel and inhumane policies, combined with personal challenges, drove him to a point where he felt he had nothing left to live for.’
Mr Yogalingam, a Christian from the Puttalam region of Sri Lanka, was 11 years old when he and his family arrived in Australia by boat from India in 2012.
His parents and their five children had fled their home country due to alleged threats from the Sri Lankan military.
Mano Yogalingam (pictured), 23, suffered burns to 80 percent of his body and died of his injuries on Wednesday at Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital.
Upon arrival in Australia, the family was held for several months before being released into society.
‘Mano had been waiting for more than 12 years to be asked whether he could stay in Australia and escape the persecution he feared in Sri Lanka,’ Mrs. Bartholote said.
‘He was fully aware of the statements made by the Home Secretary, Tony Burke, in which he indicated that he intended to deport asylum seekers who had fallen victim to the fast-track procedure.’
According to Ms Barthlote, Mr Yogalingam’s mental health deteriorated due to the uncertainty over the visa.
She said many Tamil asylum seekers told her they would rather die in Australia “than be sent back to be tortured in Sri Lanka.”
“I always hoped these were just words. Tragically, that doesn’t seem to be the case,” she said.
The lawyer claimed that “countless refugees are losing their lives while waiting for permanent visas.
The Tamil Refugee Council said Mr Yogalingam’s death highlighted “the devastating impact of the government’s refugee policy” under Home Secretary Tony Burke (pictured)
“Now we mourn the loss of yet another young man who, like so many other young Tamils on bridging visas, woke up every day wondering whether this would be the day he would be forced to return to the persecution he fled,” Ms Barthlote said.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Burke for comment.
If you or someone you know needs support, call Lifeline 13 11 14, Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467 or Children’s Helpline (for young people up to 25 years of age) 1800 55 1800.