22 Sri Lankans may be deported

KUPANG, E. Nusa Tenggara: Twenty-two Sri Lankans who tried to illegally cross over to Australia last month will be sent to Jakarta soon and will likely be deported, a local immigration official said yesterday.

All but four of the Sri Lankans had passports and Indonesian visas, acting chief of Kupang immigration office, Immanuel Pulungan, told Antara news agency.

They tried to hire a boat to Australia, but the police foiled their plan, Immanuel said. (09)