Sri Lanka

Sri Lankan refugees wave from the Australian coast guard vessel, Oceanic Viking anchored near Bengkil Island, about 14 km (8.7 miles) east of the Tanjung Pinang and the port of Kijang, on the Indonesian island of Bintan October 27, 2009. Seventy eight Sri Lankan asylum seekers rescued by an Australian customs vessel in Indonesian waters are to be taken to a detention centre on the Indonesian island of Bintan, an official said on Monday. Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, seeking to curb a growing number of asylum seekers, has sought help from Jakarta and other neighbours over the politically sensitive issue.