A standoff by Sri Lankan asylum seekers who had refused to leave an Australian customs ship is set to end.  Australian authorities say the migrants have agreed to disembark in Indonesia.

The 56 migrants are part of a group of 78 Sri Lankans rescued at sea from their sinking boat by the Australians in Indonesia's search and rescue zone more than a month ago. The refugees originally demanded to disembark in Australia.

The other 22 left the ship last week after receiving assurances they would be resettled abroad in the near future. Jakarta and Canberra cut a deal in which Indonesia agreed to accept and register the asylum seekers in return for financial support.

The standoff has caused a political headache for Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who has been under pressure about increasing numbers of boat people seeking asylum, particularly from Afghanistan and Sri Lanka. Some 2000 boat people have reached Australia this year.