Tanjungpinang (ANTARA News) - The Australian government is continuing to urge the Sri Lankan immigrants on board the "Oceanic Viking" to move to an immigration detention house in Riau Islands province, an Indonesian official said.

"We do not interfere in the matter. It is an Australian government affair," Sujatmiko, the Indonesian foreign ministry`s director for diplomatic security, said in Tanjungpinang on Wednesday.

The Oceanic Viking carrying 78 Sri Lankan immigrants is currently anchored in waters near Cempedak Island Waters in Bintan district, Riau Islands province, based on permission given by the Indonesian government on Monday (Oct 26) and valid until Friday (Nov 6).

"The Indonesian government has yet to decide whether or not the permission period will be extended," Sujatmiko said.

He said what would happen with the Sri Lankan illegal immigrants was an issue of the Australian government, not of the Indonesian government.

The Indonesian government was only helping to deal with the illegal immigrants based on humanitarian considerations and to maintain good relations with Australia.

"But if these illegal immigrants are rejected (by Australia), the Indonesian government can not do much," he said.

Meanwhile, the Illegal Immigrant handling Task Force formed by Indonesia`s foreign affairs ministry was continuing to monitor the Sri Lankan immigrants` wishes and accommodate them where possible.

"If at any time the Sri Lankan immigrants change their mind (agree to be moved to the immigration detention center in Riau Islands province), we are ready to help them," he said.

Sujatmiko admitted he had yet to receive information on the latest health conditions of the 78 Sri Lankan immigrants on board the Oceanic Viking because the Illegal Immigrants Handling Task Force was no longer monitoring developments related to the Sri Lankan immigrants` health.

"Why do we need to monitor their health, they do not want to live in Indonesia anyway. We also would not insist and force them to live here," he said.

He said that until Wednensday afternoon, there had been no discussion of recent developments in the Sri Lankan immigrants` case by representatives of the Australian and Sri Lankan governments."We have not received any new information yet," he said. (*)