Sri Lanka expedite stringent action against human trafficking

(July 24, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama meeting with Senator Christopher Evans, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on 24th July 2009 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that issues on illicit migration is very serious and that Sri Lanka is taking stringent action to prosecute those involved in such illegal activities. While strongly condemning illicit migration, the Minister urged the Australian Minister to watch out for the illegal movement of persons between countries since terrorists may move undetected in guise of illegal immigrants, particularly, in the aftermath of the conflict, LTTE activists could be involved in human trafficking using their networks previously used for ferrying weapons and armaments.

Senator Evans conveyed his appreciation for the excellent cooperation afforded by the Sri Lankan authorities including the Sri Lanka Navy and the Sri Lanka Police in tackling people smuggling issues which had become political sensitive issues in Australia. Senator Evans is visiting Sri Lanka to discuss measures that need to be addressed to curb illegal migrants travelling to Australia.

Minister Bogollagama stated that Senator Evans presence in Colombo is indicative of the importance that Australia places on the issue of illicit migration and its relation to regional security.

The Foreign Minister also took the opportunity to inform the visiting Minister of the recent ARF Ministerial Meeting where non security challenges such as human trafficking was also discussed. He also pointed out that it is illegal in Sri Lanka for any person to leave the country without going through proper border control procedures and the Government would take appropriate action to prosecute those who break the law in this regard.

Both Ministers agreed that the issue of peoples smuggling should be stopped. Greater strengthening of intelligence cooperation and sharing of intelligence between the two countries was also discussed. Foreign Minister also solicited the support of Australian Government in developing of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard as well as the training and capacity building for this purpose.

Discussing the forthcoming Ad Hoc Group Meeting of the Bali Process in Bali on 27th July, the two Ministers agreed that Sri Lanka and Australia had cooperated well within the Bali Process. It was acknowledged that the Bali Process would enable the development of regional responses to current situation concerning the irregular movement of people in the Asia Pacific. The Foreign Minister informed the visiting Australian Minister that issues of regional maritime security was of vital concern to Sri Lanka.

-Sri Lanka Guardian