Asylum seekers are reportedly being secretly screened at sea via video link, potentially breaching international law.

One Sri Lankan naval official has confirmed that some hopeful refugees will be transferred into Sri Lankan custody at sea after being asked just four basic questions, although another Sri Lankan official denied the procedure.

Fairfax Media reports the asylum seekers are being asked their name, country of origin, where they had come from and why they had left before their claim for asylum is considered, but lawyer Julian Burnside says Australia could be guilty of refoulement.

Non-refoulement is a key facet of refugee law, regarding protection of refugees from being returned to areas where their lives or freedoms could be threatened.

“It is very clear the department is screening people to get them out as fast as possible and not with a view to assess whether they are refugees,” Mr Burnside said.

Director of Human Rights Watch Elaine Pearson also questioned the practice, calling it “not only highly disturbing, but probably unlawful”.

Christmas Island local councillor Gordon Thomson on Wednesday called on the federal government to confirm the accuracy of reports that asylum seekers had been transferred from Australian custody.

“It’s a very, very, very disturbing story, if it’s true,” he told AAP.

“That would be a quantum leap in ruthless bastardry by any government.”

The government has repeatedly refused to confirm reports that two boats have been intercepted by Australian authorities off Christmas Island.

One of the boats is reportedly carrying 153 Tamil asylum seekers, including about 30 children – many of them sick – while the other has 50 people aboard.