Australian Border Force and Sri Lanka Coast Guard Forge Stronger Maritime Safety and Security Partnership

Senior officials from the Australian Border Force and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) convened at the Coast Guard Rear Headquarters in Colombo on 11^th July 2023 to foster enhanced cooperation in maritime safety and security. The Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana and Commander Joint Agency Task Force Australia (AUS) Rear Admiral Justin Jones headed the meeting. This discourse was instrumental in conveying Australia's commitment to support Sri Lanka's efforts in safeguarding shared maritime borders and improving the lifesaving capabilities of the SLCG.

The primary goal of the meeting was to discuss the advancement of the Australian government's "zero chance" campaign, which aims to deter illegal immigration to Australia and lessen maritime threats. The Australian delegates formally donated personnel protection equipment for visit, board, search, and seizure operations and RADARs for Stabicraft to reinforce operational capacities of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The meeting between Australian and Sri Lankan officials was a significant milestone in the bilateral partnership, demonstrating a shared commitment to enhancing maritime safety and security. The proposed initiatives, including the potential MoU, instructor exchange programmes, capacity-building measures, equipment acquisition, and joint efforts in addressing environmental challenges, underscore the determination of both countries to tackle maritime threats collaboratively. This synergistic approach will foster a secure and stable regional maritime domain.