AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE REPRESENTATIVES VISITS SRI LANKA COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS

On 15^th October 2024, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Headquarters welcomed Ms. Luisa Szczudlo and Ms. Alina Topham, distinguished superintendents from the Australian Border Force (ABF), during an official visit aimed at strengthening cooperation and fostering deeper ties between the two agencies. The visiting delegation was accompanied by Inspector Paul Edwards, the 1^st Secretary (ABF) at the Australian High Commission in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The visitors were warmly received by Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG), Captain Manoj Leelarathne, and comprehensive presentation about operational capabilities including Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) was conducted by the Senior Staff Officer Operations. Discussions were held focusing on enhancing bilateral collaboration between the SLCG and the ABF.

Two ABF Superintendents, experts in MDA, engaged in discussions with the SLCG to assess its operational framework and future capacity development. They explored the current status of MDA in SLCG operations and potential areas for expansion, with a focus on enhancing maritime law enforcement and tackling irregular migration. As part of their visit, the Superintendents visited the MDA facilities and witnessed all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and drones.

The visit of Ms. Luisa Szczudlo and Ms. Alina Topham marks another milestone in the longstanding partnership between the SLCG and the ABF, underscoring the commitment of both agencies to safeguard regional maritime interests through collaboration and shared expertise.