Australia pledges AUD 2 m for Sri Lanka dengue project as envoy concludes visit

Friday, 31 July 2026 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Australia’s Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs Tim Watts has concluded a visit to Sri Lanka, reaffirming Canberra’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties while announcing fresh funding for dengue prevention and highlighting cooperation in maritime security, trade, investment, and disaster preparedness.

During the visit, Watts announced Australia would provide AUD 2 million in development assistance to support the proposed Sri Lanka Wolbachia Project aimed at controlling dengue, following a recent increase in mosquito-borne infections after Cyclone Ditwah.

The announcement was made during a ceremonial handover of two inflatable rescue boats to the Disaster Management Centre. Disaster assessment drones for the National Building Research Institute are also due to be delivered under Australia’s AUD 7 million humanitarian and recovery assistance package, which is intended to strengthen Sri Lanka’s disaster preparedness and emergency response capability.

Watts also visited the South Asia Gateway Terminal at Port of Colombo, where he was briefed on Sri Lanka’s role as a regional transshipment hub and discussed the shared maritime interests of Australia and Sri Lanka in strengthening regional connectivity.

During his visit, Watts met Mass Media Deputy Minister Dr. Kaushalya Ariyarathne to discuss challenges facing the media sector and opportunities to expand bilateral cooperation.

He also held discussions with Australia-Sri Lanka Parliamentary Friendship Group Co-Chair S.M. Marikkar and Pathfinder Foundation Founder Milinda Moragoda on strengthening bilateral relations and developments in the Indian Ocean region.

“Australia remains committed to working closely with Sri Lanka to support a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indian Ocean region and to deepen the ties that benefit both our countries,” Watts said.

He described Sri Lanka as “an important neighbour for Australia in the Indian Ocean” and said Australia was partnering with the Government across a range of priority areas, including dengue prevention, maritime security, trade and investment, and disaster preparedness.

The visit marked Watts’ second visit to Sri Lanka, having previously travelled to Colombo in October 2023 as Australia’s Assistant Foreign Minister to attend the 23rd Indian Ocean Rim Association Council of Ministers Meeting.