78 Sri Lankans in a boat in Indonesia face risk of deportation: BBC

Indonesia warned that if a stand-off continues with the 78 Sri Lankans they will have no choice but to expel the Sri Lankans, the BBC reported.

Indonesia's foreign ministry spokesperson Teuku Faizahsyah has told the BBC that Indonesia will only be able to host the 78 Sri Lankan asylum seekers once they have been clearly identified. 

The refugees have so far resisted any efforts to get off the Oceanic Viking, an Australian customs ship that picked them up in Indonesian waters. 

The Sri Lankans were intercepted in Indonesian waters eleven days ago while trying to reach Australia. 

Australia and Indonesia agreed to a deal last week which in principle would see the asylum seekers moved to an Indonesian detention centre.