The federal government has forcibly returned 38 asylum seekers who made an epic 44-day boat voyage to Geraldton last week.
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They will not be entitled to reintegration assistance.
Immigration Minister Brendan O'Connor said none of those returned had raised issues that engaged protection obligations.
Another 28 are still having their claims for protection processed. Another Sri Lankan who had arrived on a separate boat was also deported. Since August 13, the government has returned 1004 Sri Lankans who arrived on boats - 795 involuntarily.
''Returning this group to Sri Lanka sends the powerful message that people who pay smugglers are throwing their money away and risking their lives in the process,'' Mr O'Connor said. ''There is no fast track … If they do not engage Australia's protection obligations, they will be returned home.''
Sri Lankan asylum seekers are subject to ''enhanced screening'', in which authorities assess whether or not they have a genuine claim for protection before they have gone through the formal application process for refugee status.
Human Rights Commissioner Gillian Triggs urged the government on Tuesday not to return any members of the group until their claims had been fully assessed.
''Using a screening process like this, rather than giving people access to the normal protections under the refugee status determination system, risks involuntarily returning people who may, in fact, have legitimate claims for protection under international law,'' she said.
Professor Triggs sought assurances from Mr O'Connor's office and his department that the 66 people would be informed of their right to seek asylum under international law.
