19 Sri Lankans to be deported

JAKARTA (JP): The government is to deport 19 Sri Lankans who were arrested in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara and are currently being held at the immigration department's quarantine detention center on Jl. Kalideres, West Jakarta, for violating immigration regulations.

The head of the department's control and supervision section, Zaiman Nurmatias, said yesterday that 19 people were arrested in Kupang July 26 for trying to illegally enter Australia by boat.

"Sixteen of the people hold Sri Lankan passports while the other three did not have any travel documents," Zaiman said.

He said the people admitted to using the boat they had rented for Rp 9.5 million (US$3,653) to flee to Australia.

Kupang's immigration office sent them to Jakarta on Friday, he said.

The immigration department was trying to liaise with the Sri Lankan Embassy yesterday to arrange the deportation, Zaiman said without giving details. (jun)