Indonesia extends staying permit for ship carrying Lankans for one week

JAKARTA, - Indonesia extended the staying permit for the Oceanic Viking, an Australian ship carrying Sri Lankan refugees, in Tanjung Pinang waters of Kepualuan Riau province, for one more week, an official said here on Friday.

 Teuku Faizasyah, the Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, said the extension was provided since Indonesia is fully aware of the problem of the Australian government posed by 78 illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka.

"One week-extension was given so that the Australian government could solve the problem quickly," he told reporters.

He said there was a meeting between Indonesia and Australian delegation on Tuesday to find out solution and to explore cooperation related to the influx of illegal immigrants.

"We have talked about how to handle the problem, not to mention 255 Sri Lankans stranded in Cilegon of West Java province," said Faizasyah.

He said the Indonesian government felt sorry for the Sri Lankans and the Australian government, hoping that in one week they could come up with a solution.

On Oct. 30, the Indonesian government extended the staying permit for the ship to Friday after the dialogue between the two countries had failed to reach agreement.

Local government of Kepulauan Riau province rejected the refugees even though Indonesia has signed an agreement with Australia to take care of them and process it according to the international law.

Local people also rejected the immigrants, arguing that they were afraid of being infected by dangerous disease that was possibly spread by them.