Australian vessels enhance Sri Lanka’s capacity to manage maritime security risks

Saturday, 12 July 2014 01:44 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Sri Lanka’s capacity to manage maritime security risks and conduct search and rescue will be enhanced with the commissioning of two Bay Class patrol boats gifted by Australia, Australian Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, Scott Morrison said. Speaking at the commissioning ceremony of the ex-Australian Customs and Border Protection Vessels (ACVs) Corio Bay and Hervey Bay, now known as Sri Lankan Navy Ships Mihikatha and Rathnadeepa, Minister Morrison said that the Australian Government was proud the vessels’ operation would serve to enhance Sri Lanka’s maritime security capacity, complementing their current fleet. “During the past eight months, the Sri Lankan Navy and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service have worked closely together, resulting in the transfer of both these vessels and knowledge and skills of benefit to both countries in combatting people smuggling,” Minister Morrison said. “With these vessels, Sri Lanka will have an enhanced search and rescue capacity and improved interception capacity to deal with illegal fishing and counter people smuggling and other maritime security risks. This regional cooperation is yet another layer to the government’s continued efforts to stop people smuggling on Australia’s shores and within our region.” Minister Morrison said that in providing these vessels, the Australian Government recognises the strong relationship between the two countries as well as Sri Lanka’s critical role in disrupting people smuggling in the region. “Australia and Sri Lanka have a strong history of cooperation at the operational level to disrupt people smuggling ventures; the recent return of a group of 41 Sri Lankan nationals who attempted to arrive illegally by boat to Australia serves as a testament to this relationship,” Minister Morrison said. “Australia continues to be grateful for the efforts of the Sri Lankan authorities in combatting the dangerous trade in vulnerable people’s lives and false promises, and I am confident these vessels will serve as a useful addition the Sri Lankan Navy’s continued efforts to eliminate people smuggling at the source,” he said.

Aussie Immigration Minister meets Hakeem

Australian Immigration Minister Scott Morrison during his visit to Sri Lanka met with Justice Minister Rauff Hakeem recently. They discussed law and order for asylum seekers for Sri Lankans – Pic by Ashraff A. Samad

Turning back boats good: Navy

The navy says Australia’s decision to turn back asylum boats is a good move and that most people who go by boat and seek asylum in Australia are going for economic reasons and not political reasons. Newly appointed Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera said that there is a reduction in the number of people attempting to travel illegally by boat and seek asylum in Australia. He says there is no need for anyone to seek asylum in Australia as the conditions in Sri Lanka have improved following the end of the war. Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera said this while speaking to reporters after meeting the chief prelates in Kandy today to obtain their blessings. The prelates had spoken about the asylum issue and Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera had briefed them on the efforts taken by the navy to stop anyone attempting to use the sea route to travel to Australia illegally. “We have deployed navy boats to prevent anyone going by boat illegally to Australia. We also receive intelligence information before the people make the boat journey,” the Navy Commander said. President Mahinda Rajapaksa had ceremonially commissioned the ‘Mihikatha’ and ‘Rathnadeepa’ patrol boats that were gifted by the Australian Government to Sri Lanka. The two patrol boats were gifted as a gesture of goodwill to the Sri Lanka Navy. (Colombo Gazette)