Sri Lanka and Australia have joined forces in a concerted effort to counter illegal migration attempts to Australia via the North Sea.
Brood Isander, the First Secretary of the Australian Coast Guard, revealed this collaborative program during a meeting with the Northern Province Governor, Mrs. PMS Charles, yesterday (13), held in Jaffna.
Isander conveyed that a substantial number of individuals had attempted migration to Australia through the North Sea, prompting both countries to engage in discussions and subsequently deploy a contingent of Australian Coast Guard officers to monitor activities near the North Sea. Notably, this initiative is a result of the shared commitment between the two nations to address the challenge of illegal migration.
The Australian Coast Guard officers, representing the first group, have made their presence known in Jaffna to support the program’s implementation.
Furthermore, Australia has outlined plans to provide specialized training to Sri Lankan Coast Guard officers, equipping them with modern techniques to effectively prevent illegal migration attempts towards Australia. The Australian Government has also taken proactive measures, extending financial support for the development of Palali Airport and Kankasanthure Port, as affirmed by Secretary Brude Isander.