Over a hundred Sri Lankan immigrants evacuated to Riau

Wasi'Ul Ulum - At least 139 Sri Lankan immigrants have been evacuated from Indah Kiat Harbor, Merak, Cilegon, Banten to Tanjung Pinang, Riau.

They were transported by bus to Soekarno-Hatta airport to be flown to Riau. “They are being moved after negotiations. They didn’t want to be moved before,” said S.B. Sudjatmiko, the Director of Diplomatic Security of the Department of Foreign Affairs, when contacted yesterday.

They, said Sudjatmiko, will be verified by a team from UNHCR before being deported.

However, there are three immigrants left behind because they’re sick.

“They are one family, a pregnant wife, husband and a child,” said Sumantri Sihite, Head of Banten Immigration.

The police are looking for several missing immigrants.

Previously, there were 255 illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka caught in Sunda Strait at the end of 2009.

When moved, some of them ran away from the harbor.

© Tempo Interactive