Sri Lankans reportedly bound for Australia and stranded off Aceh to be 'escorted' back Allow us to land, else shoot us' Tamil refugees to Indonesia authorities
This is despite a memo from Vice President Jusuf Kalla issued on Wednesday instructing Aceh Governor Zaini Abdullah to temporarily host the asylum seekers for food and boat repairs.
The group — comprising of Sri Lanka’s Tamil minority — has been stranded for around six days at the waters off Lhoknga coast in Aceh Besar, Aceh, after machinery failure hindered their trip to Australia.
Aceh authorities have delivered several packages of food, medicine and mineral water to the boat, adding medics also checked the health of 44 asylum seekers — which includes a pregnant woman and nine children.
