COMMANDER, AUSTRALIAN JOINT AGENCY TASK FORCE AND THE DELEGATION PAID A COURTESY CALL ON THE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF SLCG

The delegation was headed by the Commander of the Australian Joint Agency Task Force, Rear Admiral Justin Jones from the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana warmly welcomed the delegation to SLCG Rear Headquarters, Wellawatta on 07^th February 2023. At the outset, the Director General Coast Guard (DGCG) has expressed his admiration for allocating a time slot to meet him at the Coast Guard Rear Headquarters.

The delegation was accompanied by the First Secretary, Australian Border Force Inspector Brett Zehnder, Australian Border Force Inspector Stathi Vamvoulidis and Lieutenant Commander Clint Baird.

The cordial meeting focused on deterring human smuggling, counter-narcotics, IUU fishing in the area of responsibilities and the development of SLCG infrastructure, capacity building and lifesaving training. Further, DGCG appreciated all assistance rendered by the Australian government to uplift the SLCG facilities. The delegation expressed their appreciation for the contribution of the SLCG in controlling the human smuggling attempts in the country and the dedicated role played by the SLCG personnel in various capacities to deter maritime crimes.

The fruitful meeting culminated with an exchange of mementoes to the envoy as a token of goodwill and understanding between SLCG and RAN.