Two suspected Lankan boats marooned near Indonesia

by Manjula FERNANDO

Two boats carrying suspected Sri Lankan illegal immigrants have been towed near the Mentavi Islands in Indonesia as they were marooned for one week without fuel.

The External Affairs Ministry has called upon the Lankan head of mission in Jakarta to inquire about the reports of the two boats. It is reported that one of the boats had demanded 2,000 litres of diesel to proceed to Christmas Island, their final destination.

The boats were carrying 93 would-be asylum seekers to Australia. The passengers of one boat had agreed to come ashore to take refuge in a temporary place, a city town hall, but 53 in the other boat are said to be refusing to disembark demanding fuel to continue their journey.

The regional immigration head of Indonesia has agreed to provide them with food but not diesel as it would amount to aiding illegal migration and violate immigration laws. The boats had been adrift for about a week without fuel but it has food supplies for a few more days.