Australia has reiterated its commitment to work with Sri Lanka to combat transnational organized crime such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, piracy, terrorism, and people smuggling.
The message was conveyed following the recent visit of Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders Rear Admiral Justin Jones CSC RAN and Australia’s People Smuggling and Human Trafficking Ambassador Lucienne Manton to Sri Lanka.
Justin Jones and Lucienne Manton participated in a number of high-level and working-level meetings during their visit to Sri Lanka from 30 August to 1 September.
Issuing a joint statement, they said, “Great friendships are built upon a bedrock of trust, shared values, and providing support to one another. Such was the case during our visit to Sri Lanka from 30 August to 1 September – a trip that reaffirmed the deep ties that exist between our two countries, forged 75 years ago.”
It is a relationship that has grown from strength to strength. As a long-standing friend, Australia is supporting Sri Lanka in its time of need, providing A$75 million to meet urgent food and healthcare challenges.
As Indian Ocean neighbours we share profound personal links. Australia’s Sri Lankan diaspora is vibrant. Sri Lankan students brighten our university campuses. In June and July, our cricketing rivalry was on show across this island. There will be a chance to settle the score this Australian summer.
They further said, “Our visit to Sri Lanka earlier this month reinforced our resolve to face challenges together. We reiterated Australia’s commitment to work with Sri Lanka to combat transnational organized crime such as illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, piracy, terrorism, and people smuggling.
Sri Lanka and Australia have a proven partnership to deter, disrupt, intercept and return any boat attempting to illegally cross borders. We do this to prevent the loss of life at sea, the risk to the livelihoods of innocent people and to stamp out the criminal people smuggling trade.”
Since May 2022, Australian authorities have returned a number of Sri Lankan nationals attempting irregular maritime migration to Australia. This is in addition to the superb work of the Sri Lankan Navy in disrupting more than 900 people from making a similar irregular migration attempt to Australia in the same period.
Every Sri Lankan people smuggling boat that has entered Australian waters since October 2013 has been stopped, and all those on board returned to Sri Lanka. Sadly, all have wasted hard-earned savings for nothing and face legal proceedings upon return to Sri Lanka.
The joint statement said that the visit also provided an opportunity to meet with local community leaders to reinforce Australia’s unchanged border protection policies. The discussions were a timely reminder for everyone – do not fall for the tricks of people smugglers.
Australia’s border protection policies have not and will not change. Those who try to come without a valid visa will be caught and returned to Sri Lanka where legal consequences await. In other words, if you choose this irregular, dangerous and futile method of migration, you will never be able to settle in Australia.
Jones and Manton added that Australia is committed to deepening its cooperation with Sri Lanka as they work together to face shared challenges and achieve our shared goals. Whether it’s supporting economic reforms or strengthening our border security pact, this is a partnership that stands the test of time. (NewsWire)