Lanka calls for release of those held in Aceh

By Yohan Perera
The Sri Lankan Embassy in Indonesia called for the release of nearly 50 Sri Lankans held in Indonesia for allegedly entering the country illegally.
A spokesman from the Sri Lankan Embassy in Indonesia told Daily Mirror that Sri Lanka had made this call after the Indonesian authorities released only eight of the 55 Sri Lankans who had allegedly landed illegally in Aceh Province on May 14. According to the Embassy over 55 Sri Lankans illegally landed in Aceh, in their attempt to enter Australia after their boat sprung a leak after being caught up in a storm.
The Indonesian authorities had decided to free eight Sri Lankans following which the Sri Lankan Ambassador proceeded to Aceh Province to convince the migrants to return to Sri Lanka. This has been done with the approval of the Sri Lankan government.
After this development, eight other Sri Lankans who were detained by the Indonesian authorities have also agreed to return to Sri Lanka.
They will now leave for Sri Lanka shortly to re-unite with their families and relatives. These eight immigrants are said to be residents of Jaffna, Batticaloa, and Trincomalee.