SL off Indonesia’s red list

7 May 2012 10:26 am - 9 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

The Law and Human Rights Ministry will remove Sri Lanka and Bangladesh from Indonesia’s immigration red list later in May, four months later than initially planned, a ministry official says.

“Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will be taken off [from the red list] soon,” Budi Satria Wibawa, the ministry’s travel documents chief, said on Monday.

Budi said that the economy and security of both countries had improved, allowing the government to relax the visa arrangements for Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi citizens entering Indonesia.

“It is hoped that Bangladeshi citizens will bring benefits to Indonesia, rather than come here without a clear purpose” said Budi.

The ministry had planned to remove the two countries from the red list at the beginning of the year, with Afghanistan and Pakistan to follow suit later in the year.

Budi did not respond when asked why the plan had been postponed, or if the plan for Afghanistan and Pakistan would still go ahead.

Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan are among 13 countries on the government’s immigration red list, in addition to Guinea, Israel, Iraq, North Korea, Cameroon, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria and Somalia.

There are fears that the number of illegal immigrants entering Indonesia for resettlement, or en route to Australia will increase with the removal of countries from the red list

There are currently around 3,660 foreign refugees in Indonesia, around 2,008 of which are from Afghanistan.

The Immigration Office has named Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Myanmar and Pakistan as countries which are the main source of refugees trying to reach Australia.

Only 10 percent of Sri Lankans entering Indonesia legally exited the country, while the remaining 90 percent could not be located, according to the Office.

The University of Indonesia international law scholar Hikmahanto Juwana said that the government should scrap the plan because “if something happens, Indonesia will bear responsibility. Money will be needed to return them to their countries.”

He also said that the decision would upset Indonesia’s neighboring country, Australia. (The Jakarta Post)

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 9

Junta Monday, 07 May 2012 10:53 AM

I like it how Israel is in this list as well.. lol as if a Jew would want to settle in indonesia..

John Monday, 07 May 2012 12:08 PM

What an exclusive club to belong to?!

Calistus Jayatilleke Monday, 07 May 2012 03:48 PM

Just one look at the countries with which Sri Lanka is bracketed shows what a failed state we are.

kndylamissi Monday, 07 May 2012 11:28 PM

This 90% cannot be traced as your culprits carried them away to another Country.Your citizens are human smugglers.

Nodrog Tuesday, 08 May 2012 03:14 AM

Surprisingly no MP has yet claimed credit for this development.

Junta Reply Tuesday, 08 May 2012 03:16 AM

Get the fact right. People come to Indonesia to go by boat to Australia

Maru Yaka Tuesday, 08 May 2012 07:14 AM

Was Palastine an exception? Know your history! Once bitten twice shy!!!

Rohan Tuesday, 08 May 2012 07:23 AM

Ya - that's the sad part - and to be embarrassed in seperate ques and taken to special cubicals for questioning when you enter Hong Kong or western contries is not cool.

Ranasinghe Mahipala Tuesday, 08 May 2012 07:51 AM

Tamil Diaspora Inc., Brain child of the Terrorist Prabhakaran is still alive and ticking.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

SL off Indonesia’s red list

Comments - 9

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

Will more Dharshinis be tortured in the Middle East ?

Migrants, communal tensions leave Batti’s original cattle farmers ruffled

A life without taxes, that’s what the people want

Electricity tariff revision in October: Sri Lankan consumers struggle to beat govt.’s third electric shock

Will Online Safety Bill crush virtual freedom of expression?

5000 days later, Sandya still awaits truth and justice...

Sri Lanka: The killing field of elephants?

Most Viewed in News

Government imposes special commodity levy on various goods

Man attempting to take nude photos of daughter hacked to death by wife

Pastor Jerome arrested

Pastor Jerome Fernando remanded

2022 (2023) O/L results released

GCE (O/L) best results announced

MIRROR CRICKET

Anushka shines in Moratuwa SC’s title win

Ton-up Avishka puts SSC in command

Air Force emerge Women’s L/O champions

Glenn Maxwell ruled out of next match after injuring forearm in Brisbane

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Govt. to establish Independent Commission for Truth, Unity and Reconciliation

GTF engages in reconciliation dialogue with Mahanayake Theras

Boy’s suspected suicide turns into murder case

Giraffe was killed, not deceased: Zoo union alleges

Kandy SC face Army SC at Panagoda today

Senior National Squash finals on Sunday

Nadesan wins HSBC 5-Club Golf Tourney

Anushka shines in Moratuwa SC’s title win