Alex fled civil war into an Australian nightmare with no end. After 16 years, he could not bear it. By Mark Isaacs, The Guardian

The view west from Perth’s Kings Park looks out over the Swan River as it runs towards the Indian Ocean.

Far beyond the horizon lies Sri Lanka, where one desperate decision changed the course of Alex’s life, leading him to Australia – and ultimately to end it.

After 16 years trapped within Australia’s byzantine immigration system, most of that time incarcerated, shuttled between bleak detention centres in a confusing and capricious internment, Alex could abide no more.

Alex fled civil war into an Australian nightmare with no end. After 16 years, he could not bear it. By Mark Isaacs, The Guardian