These Sri Lankan asylum seekers were heading to Australia when they were intercepted by the Indonesian authorities earlier this month.

Now they’re waiting it out at a West Java port… waiting for immigration officials, and international aid organizations to decide their fate.

[Pinta, Asylum Seeker]:
"We can't go to school in Sri Lanka, we are afraid going to school in Sri Lanka."

Others on this boat are praying for the U.N. to come to their aid.

[Alex, Asylum Seekers’ Spokesperson]:
"Our prayers go out to our loved ones back home in Sri Lanka as we are living in peace here in this boat, there are many people suffering in Sri Lanka, there are many people suffering all over the world. When will these people see freedom?"

The International Organization for Migration, has been providing food and medical support. One worker says the asylum seekers need to leave the boat before anything else can be done for them.

[Joseph, IOM Staff]:
"The problem is they must come out from the boat for them to be listened to by the UNHCR. UNHCR can't interview them if they are on the boat. They got to come down."

The Australian prime minister held talks with the Indonesian president last week, to discuss the plight of the asylum seekers.

Australia has sought Indonesia's assistance, as it faces the biggest stream of asylum seekers in seven years.