An MoU was signed between Sri Lanka and Australia to work together to combat people smuggling, the financing of terrorism and related organized criminal activities.
The agreement was signed by the Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama and Australia’s Foreign Affairs Minister Stephen Smith at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs premises in Colombo. Australia’s Foreign Affairs was in Sri Lanka for a one day visit on an invitation by the Sri Lankan government.
At a joint press briefing, just after signing the agreement, two ministers said that “people smuggling remains a high priority transnational issue for transit and destination countries in the region. Both the ministers acknowledge that it has become a threat to the integrity of border security procedures and ongoing constructive bilateral cooperation between key domestic operational agencies and underline their commitment to work together in practical ways to address people smuggling issues in a cooperative and comprehensive manner.
According to the MoU signed by two countries, they jointly agreed to enhance cooperation against the criminal organizers of the people’s smuggling trade.
The second fact is taking a leading role to promote cooperation among regional countries to act against Australia’s Foreign Affairs ministry transnational people smuggling networks, including under the Bali Process on people smuggling, trafficking persons and related transnational crimes. It is also highlighted of undertaking a public information campaign to alert Sri Lanka citizens to the dangers of maritime people smuggling.
Australian Foreign Minister addressing the media said that the Australian government will actively work for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of Sri Lanka’s Northern and eastern provinces, facilitating the return of displaced persons to their homes in conditions of dignity, peace and freedom. He also affirmed a financial assistance of USD 12 million to support the resettlement and reconstruction programs led by the Sri Lankan government.
- Asian Tribune -
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